Drug and Alcohol Review
November 5, 2024
Jordan J Negrine, Cheneal Puljević, Jason Ferris et al.
8 citations
Australian psychologists generally hold positive attitudes toward psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) following the 2023 regulatory changes that permitted psilocybin and MDMA in clinical services. Most view PAT as promising for chronic mental health conditions like depression, but express concerns about limited evidence on efficacy, potential adverse experiences, and the complexity of individualized treatment protocols. Many psychologists lack detailed knowledge about the interventions. The findings emphasize the need for comprehensive education and training programs, including exposure to psychedelic experiences and credible higher education institutions, to ensure competent administration of PAT.
J Psychopharmacol
July 29, 2024
Claire Walker, Timothy Piatkowski, Jason Ferris et al.
4 citations
People who use psychedelics outside of medical guidance to treat their own mental health conditions often report improvements in mental health and self-awareness, which may reduce their need for prescribed medications. An analysis of 2,552 respondents from the Global Drug Survey 2020 identified three key factors from self-reported psychedelic effects: Improved Mental Health, Improved Self-Awareness, and Neuro-Sensory Changes. Most respondents had a history of depression (80%) or anxiety (65.6%). The perceived benefits from psychedelic self-treatment were linked to a lower likelihood of currently using prescribed medication, especially for depression or combined depression and anxiety. These findings suggest that psychedelics could have therapeutic potential for mental health.
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
June 1, 2026
Gabrielle Smith, Timothy Piatkowski, Jason Ferris et al.
1 citation
People who self-treat psychiatric conditions with unregulated drugs often use ketamine alongside other psychedelics. Among 5831 respondents to the 2020 Global Drug Survey who self-treated diagnosed psychiatric conditions, over 60% had prior psychiatric diagnoses, most commonly depression and anxiety. Those using both ketamine and other psychedelics attended festivals and clubs more often and used ketamine more frequently. Those using only non-ketamine psychedelics showed a significant reduction in ketamine use. Nearly half sought online advice before starting ketamine self-treatment, suggesting online platforms are key for harm reduction resources.
Drugs Education Prevention and Policy
March 22, 2026
Jordan J. Negrine, Stephen Bright, Monica J. Barratt et al.
In interviews, twenty Australian psychologists expressed that a therapist's own lived or living experience with psychedelics could enhance empathy, confidence, and therapeutic rapport in psychedelic-assisted therapy, especially given lingering stigma. They noted that the intense, altered states of PAT demand deeper therapist familiarity, which lived experience may uniquely improve beyond standard training. Most supported optional, safe, and structured inclusion of such experience in formal training, respecting ethical considerations. The findings indicate growing professional openness to experiential learning as a valuable, though not mandatory, component of preparing psychedelic therapists.
Journal of sex research
January 16, 2026
Mason Levey, Benjamin Bonenti, Timothy Piatkowski et al.
People who reported having used psychedelics to cope with or overcome sexual trauma were significantly less likely to say the drugs improved their sexual communication compared to those who had not used psychedelics for that purpose. No significant difference was found in emotional connection between the two groups. Among those who had used psychedelics for trauma, women were significantly more likely than men to report improvements in both communication and emotional connection. The findings suggest that gender plays a role in how psychedelics affect intimacy, and more research is needed to guide harm reduction and trauma-informed care.