Experimental and Clinical Psychopharmacology
June 7, 2021
Colleen Fogg, Timothy I. Michaels, Sara de la Salle et al.
53 citations
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) shows promise for treating substance use disorders, PTSD, depression, and anxiety in randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, but research has almost exclusively involved White populations in North America and Western Europe, neglecting Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC). Ethnoracial differences in the metabolism, safety, and efficacy of psychotropic drugs are known from previous research, yet no studies have directly examined such differences for psychedelic pharmacology. This article argues that failing to include BIPOC in trials limits generalizability and overlooks biological and social factors affecting responses to PAP. It discusses limitations of ethnopsychopharmacology and advocates for expanded funding to address cultural, clinical, and public health needs.
Cellular and molecular life sciences : CMLS
January 21, 2025
Alejandra Pulido-Saavedra, Henrique Nunes Pereira Oliva, Tiago Paiva Prudente et al.
5 citations
The opioid crisis has driven a search for new treatments for opioid use disorder (OUD). A systematic review of 40 preclinical animal studies found that the psychedelic compounds 18-methoxycoronaridine (18-MC), ibogaine, noribogaine, and ketamine generally reduced opioid self-administration, eased withdrawal symptoms, and altered conditioned place preference. However, seven studies showed no improvement over controls. Most research has focused on iboga derivatives, which appear effective but carry higher cardiovascular risk than other psychedelics. The review calls for more translational and clinical studies that test a broader range of psychedelic agents and explore mechanisms, safety, dosing, and treatment frequency.
BMC Palliative Care
December 26, 2021
Halsey Niles, Colleen Fogg, Ben Kelmendi et al.
Palliative care clinicians view existential distress as a common and often inadequately treated psychosocial-spiritual problem that resists purely medical approaches. They see psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT) as a potentially powerful tool for refractory existential distress but believe a stronger evidence base is needed. Because PAT do not fit existing treatment models, barriers remain, including stigma and limited education about their medical use. Larger clinical trials and educational outreach are needed to clarify treatment targets and address safety concerns, and integration into palliative care should emphasize collaboration with spiritual care and mental health providers while addressing equitable access.