Psychedelic Medicine: Careful Studies, Regulations Are the Answer
Psychiatric News May 3, 2019 P. Summergrad
Large-scale trials with careful oversight and risk-modification strategies are needed to counter risks in psychedelic medicine. Many compounds like ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin have been tested only in small patient series, are difficult to blind, and have been studied by highly committed investigators rather than in larger populations. These agents have a complex history of nonmedical or illegal use, leading to Schedule 1 restrictions. Careful studies, appropriate regulatory processes, and skilled clinical judgment can help protect against enthusiasms that have not always proved valuable. There may be much to learn about mental functioning while affected by these compounds.