Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
November 7, 2024
Andrew Gribben, Tara Burke, Colm Harrington et al.
5 citations
A survey of 151 psychiatrists in Ireland found that most hold positive attitudes toward psilocybin therapy: 81.5% agreed it shows promise for treating psychiatric disorders, 86.8% supported funding research, 86.8% would refer a patient if licensed, and 78.1% would consider it for themselves. However, only 40.0% felt knowledgeable and just 9.9% felt adequately prepared to participate. A minority expressed concerns: 6.6% thought it unsafe under medical supervision, 21.9% considered it potentially addictive, and 15.9% reported at least one concern about evidence, effectiveness, safety, cost, or impartiality. Consultant psychiatrists were less optimistic than trainees about its role in bipolar depression and emotionally unstable personality disorder.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
May 1, 2026
Brian O'Mahony, Colm Harrington, Andrew Harkin et al.
Psychedelic drugs are being studied as treatments for mental health conditions and used recreationally, but they can cause intense psychological distress known as a "bad trip," which may lead to emergency care or psychiatric hospitalization. Managing these episodes should prioritize non-pharmacological strategies, but when those are insufficient, medications that can safely end the psychedelic state are needed. This review systematically evaluates candidate abortive agents, including serotonin antagonists, antipsychotics, and certain anxiety and depression drugs, considering their mechanisms, safety, and suitability for acute care. The authors propose a provisional framework for pharmacological management and identify priorities for future research.
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine
December 18, 2025
Gurjot Brar, T. R. Jun. Burke, Andrew Gribben et al.
Online news coverage of psilocybin as a depression treatment increased sharply after 2022, with 43.2% of articles published between 2022 and 2024, mostly from US outlets. Although 90.4% of articles cited researchers, only 47.2% addressed risks, 46.4% discussed long-term evidence, and 25% included patient perspectives. Sentiment was very positive, averaging 2.27 on a −5 to +5 scale, and did not change significantly over time. Reporting on psilocybin's onset and duration of effects improved, but coverage remains concentrated in prominent outlets and lacks balance on risks and patient experiences.