Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
August 19, 2021
Brian S. Barnett, Yvan Beaussant, Franklin King et al.
64 citations
Psychiatrists attending psychedelic didactic presentations at two national meetings largely believe psychedelics show treatment promise and strongly support federal funding for medicinal psychedelic research. The most common concerns were lack of trained providers, logistics of therapy delivery, administration for patients with contraindications, and diversion. Desired educational topics included potential benefits, how to conduct therapy, pharmacology, and side effects. Factors associated with increased belief in treatment potential included working primarily in research, higher psychedelic knowledge test scores, and less concern about addictive potential. Support for legalization of non-medicinal use was negatively associated with age and positively associated with support for medicinal legalization.
American Journal of Psychiatry
January 1, 2024
Eduardo Ekman Schenberg, Franklin King, João Eusébio Da Fonseca et al.
31 citations
Psilocybin has shown remarkable potential in psychiatry, with a study involving 100 participants revealing that 70% experienced significant reductions in anxiety and depression symptoms after treatment. This psychedelic compound, derived from mushrooms, is gaining traction in psychoanalysis and psychology for its therapeutic effects. Psychotherapists are increasingly scrutinizing its efficacy compared to traditional therapies. The chemical synthesis of psilocybin and its alkaloids could revolutionize mental health treatment, offering new avenues for those struggling with severe psychological conditions.
General Psychiatry
December 1, 2019
Éric Bui, Franklin King, Andrew Melaragno
14 citations
Progress in developing new medications for anxiety and stress-related disorders has been limited over the past 30 years, but researchers are now investigating novel molecular pathways beyond the traditional monoamine systems. Enhancing psychotherapy with pharmacological compounds could transform the standard of care and introduce a paradigm shift in how medications are conceptualized in psychiatric treatment. More human trials and translational research are needed, but pursuing innovative mechanisms is expected to yield substantial results and move beyond the reliance on 20th-century chemical agents.
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine
March 1, 2025
Franklin King, Brian S. Barnett, Erin E. Mauney
11 citations
Psychedelic-assisted therapy, using substances like MDMA and psilocybin, shows preliminary efficacy for depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders. Psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD have been designated breakthrough therapies by the FDA. However, in August 2024, the FDA declined to approve MDMA and requested an additional phase 3 trial. Clinicians should prepare for the possible return of psychedelics to medicine.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
January 1, 2025
Kabir Nigam, Franklin King, Fernando Espi Forcen
4 citations
Ketamine is non-inferior to electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for depression and is better tolerated than many second-line augmentation strategies. Currently viewed as a third-line agent for treatment-refractory depression, the available data suggest ketamine carries a low side-effect burden. Given the relationship between treatment outcomes and duration of untreated illness, the authors argue psychiatry should evaluate ketamine as a second-line augmentation strategy for refractory depression.
Journal of psychoactive drugs
July 2, 2025
Brian S Barnett, Miranda Arakelian, Jeremy Weleff et al.
2 citations
In 2023, a survey of 109 U.S. psychiatry residents found that most had limited formal education on psychedelics during training but strongly desired more instruction. 83.49% believed psychedelics hold promise for psychiatric disorders, though fewer (55.96%) saw similar potential for substance use disorders. Nearly 40% reported that psychedelic-related educational or research opportunities influenced their residency program rankings, and a similar proportion said the possibility of treating patients with psychedelics influenced their decision to pursue psychiatry. Higher knowledge scores and stronger belief in therapeutic potential were linked to greater influence on program ranking. The findings suggest a need to expand psychedelic-focused education in residency.
The British journal of psychiatry : the journal of mental science
October 25, 2024
Kabir Nigam, Franklin King, Fernando Espi Forcen
2 citations
Ketamine appears highly effective for refractory depression, with fewer side effects and better tolerability than many other augmentation strategies. Evidence on mediators of psychiatric treatment outcomes suggests that using ketamine earlier in the course of treatment could improve patient outcomes.
General hospital psychiatry
January 1, 2026
Rebeca Cohen, João Bastos, Catarina Cunha et al.
1 citation
A case series of 12 patients with treatment-resistant depression treated with a novel protocol combining ketamine injections (0.5-1.5 mg/kg intramuscularly, 5-8 sessions) and brief psychodynamic psychotherapy found that 67% responded and 58% achieved remission. Half of the patients maintained remission at 3-month and 1-year follow-ups. Ego dissolution during the third ketamine session correlated with symptom improvement and psychological insight. The results suggest that combining ketamine with psychotherapy may enhance and prolong antidepressant effects beyond ketamine alone.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
June 1, 2026
Brian S Barnett, Akhil Anand, Jeremy Weleff et al.
Among US adults who first used LSD at least 5 years ago, only 4.2% reported using it in the past year. Past-year use dropped sharply with time since first use, from 14.4% among those who started 5 years ago to 0.1% among those who started 46–50 years ago. Factors linked to past-year use included being male, never married, living in poverty, higher education, lifetime stimulant use, recent contact with drug sellers, having sold illegal drugs, perceiving LSD as lower risk and more available, and a past-year suicide attempt. Having children at home, living in a small metro area, and more years since first use were linked to lower odds. Perceived risk and availability showed the strongest associations.