Pharmacopsychiatry
July 1, 2021
Sandeep Nayak, Matthew W Johnson
66 citations
Psychedelic therapy shares key features with conventional psychotherapy, such as relying on subjective experiences that produce lasting change. This review examines how psychedelic drugs may amplify standard therapeutic processes, especially through effects on meaning and relationship, while also introducing unique elements. The authors propose a framework explaining why psychedelics can be effective across diverse psychotherapy modalities. They also review formal psychotherapies used in modern psychedelic trials and discuss implications for clinical ethics and trial design. The goal is to provide a common conceptual vocabulary for understanding therapeutic psychedelic effects beyond any single treatment approach.
PLoS ONE
March 14, 2024
Adam W Levin, Rafaelle Lancelotta, Nathan D Sepeda et al.
65 citations
In a small randomized trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for adults with major depressive disorder, the therapeutic alliance between participants and facilitators strengthened from the final preparation session to one week after the intervention. A stronger alliance before the psilocybin sessions predicted lower depression scores at 4 weeks, 6 months, and 12 months afterward. Stronger alliance also correlated with more intense mystical experiences and psychological insight during the drug sessions, which in turn predicted better depression outcomes. The findings suggest the therapeutic relationship is important for treatment success.
Scientific reports
November 14, 2024
Erin Wang, David S Mathai, Natalie Gukasyan et al.
18 citations
Among 879 U.S. healthcare professionals surveyed online, most endorsed strong belief in the therapeutic promise of psychedelic-assisted therapy with psilocybin and MDMA, and showed moderate openness to clinical use and support for legal access, with higher ratings for psilocybin than MDMA. However, objective knowledge of therapeutic uses, risks, and pharmacology was low. Primary concerns included lack of trained providers, financial cost, and potential contraindications. Prior psychedelic use, self-rated knowledge, younger age, and professional role predicted greater openness, while physicians reported lower openness. Results indicate a pressing need for formal training to provide balanced, evidence-based information.
Journal of affective disorders
February 1, 2025
Grant Jones, Matthew X Lowe, Sandeep Nayak et al.
12 citations
Psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms, is linked to improved mental wellbeing on average, but few studies examine how effects differ by race. In a large online longitudinal study of 2,833 people planning naturalistic psilocybin use, race/ethnicity moderated changes in spiritual wellbeing, cognitive flexibility, and emotion regulation (expressive suppression) at 2–3 months post-experience, but not at 2–4 weeks. Participants of Color reported minor differences in context and subjective effects, such as being more likely to set an intention before use. Both groups showed comparable reductions in anxiety and depression, with no significant moderation by race.
Pharmacological research
January 1, 2024
David B Yaden, Andrea P Berghella, Peter S Hendricks et al.
12 citations
Classic psychedelic-assisted therapies show initial promise for treating substance use disorders (SUDs) and may become legally available options. This article describes how these therapies could fit within current evidence-based SUD treatments, suggesting broad compatibility with most mainstream clinical approaches.
Psychopharmacology
May 28, 2026
Mazen A Atiq, Eli Weisman, Rodrigo B Guerra et al.
A healthy 35-year-old man experienced a rare hypotensive adverse event—neurocardiogenic syncope (fainting)—about 60 minutes after taking 25 mg of oral psilocybin in a clinical trial. His blood pressure dropped to 93/51 mmHg, with rapid heart rate and sweating, but he stabilized quickly with leg elevation and oral hydration. The episode may have been triggered by upright seated posture, restrictive EEG equipment, and anxiety about upcoming transcranial magnetic stimulation. Fewer than one-quarter of contemporary psychedelic trials report systematic adverse event assessment, highlighting the need for transparent documentation of both hypertensive and hypotensive events as psilocybin moves toward potential FDA approval.