Medical humanities
September 1, 2022
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan
25 citations
Psychedelic compounds are regaining interest for their therapeutic effects, and their controversial nature demands bioethical guidance. This paper argues that psychedelic-using communities should be included in bioethical discussions about psychedelic medicalisation. These communities possess epistemic expertise from embodied experiences, enabling them to identify normative considerations others might overlook. They are also uniquely affected by medicalisation, so their needs must be considered. The counterargument that such communities are less capable of deliberative reasoning is acknowledged, but the author proposes that consultation is owed to undo epistemic injustice.
Medicine, health care, and philosophy
June 1, 2022
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan, Christopher Jordens
15 citations
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) may treat major depressive disorder by inducing broadened pre-intentional possibility, which produces sudden, profound, and enduring changes in how patients experience their bodies, self-narratives, and social connections. Drawing on phenomenological accounts, the paper argues that depression involves three forms of alienation or unhomelike being-in-the-world: illness suffering (embodiment), existential suffering (self-narratives), and political suffering (social relationships). PAP counteracts the loss of pre-intentional possibility that characterizes depression, consistent with a bio-psycho-social model of mental health. This framework supports the plausibility of reported treatment success and justifies further empirical research.
Journal of homosexuality
July 8, 2025
Riccardo Miceli Mcmillan, James A Fowler, Tamara Erbacher et al.
2 citations
LGBTQA+ individuals who have used classic psychedelics emphasize that healthcare providers must examine their own biases and learn relevant language to build trust and ensure safety during preparation sessions. Providers should adopt a flexible, client-led approach when supporting identity exploration, particularly around returning from a 'universal consciousness' experience. They also need to thoughtfully modulate their presence during clients' psychedelic experiences. These findings highlight the need for psychedelic-assisted therapy protocols that acknowledge the varied experiences and needs of LGBTQA+ communities.