The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy.
Current psychiatry reports October 1, 2022 Gregory S Barber, Scott T Aaronson 56 citations
For patients with mood disorders or PTSD who have not responded to multiple treatments, few options exist. After decades of federal restrictions on psychedelic research, recent studies have re-examined compounds like MDMA and psilocybin. These investigations involve safe administration in controlled settings, preceded by hours of participant preparation and followed by integration sessions. The improvements participants experience appear linked to profound shifts in perspective, distinct from those achieved with current standard care. Studies have addressed treatment-resistant depression, end-of-life despair, and PTSD. Psychedelic psychotherapy, combining biological therapy with psychotherapy, may transform mental health care.