Ethical Considerations Regarding Psychedelics for Clinical Pain Research.
Journal of pain research January 1, 2024 Christopher L Robinson, Matthew Slitzky, Michael E Schatman et al. 4 citations
Psychedelics, historically used in cultural and medicinal contexts, are regaining attention in clinical research, especially for psychiatric conditions like refractory depression, despite their Schedule I status. With chronic pain posing a major health problem and few non-opioid treatments available, psychedelics are being explored as alternative therapies. The National Institutes of Health now funds this research, marking a shift from past limited support. Ethical concerns are significant, particularly for vulnerable populations with chronic pain that impairs autonomy. Researchers must navigate complex regulatory landscapes involving the FDA and DEA. Transparent collaboration among patients, researchers, and regulators is essential. The authors propose using principle-based research ethics—autonomy, beneficence, justice, and nonmaleficence—to guide responsible progress, balancing therapeutic promise with ethical integrity.