A Systematic Review of the Neurocognitive Effects of Psychedelics in Healthy Populations: Implications for Depressive Disorders and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder
Brain Sciences March 3, 2024 Mario Renato Velit-Salazar, Eloise Cherian, Paulo Shiroma 13 citations
A systematic review of 43 pharmacological trials found that psychedelics such as MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, DMT/ayahuasca, and cannabis generally produce detrimental or neutral effects on cold cognition—non-emotionally charged cognitive functions like attention, memory, and executive function—during peak drug effects, though MDMA improved psychomotor function in some cases. The review included mostly healthy subjects, with only one study on MDMA in PTSD patients and none in major depressive disorder. Small sample sizes and inconsistent methods across studies prevent firm conclusions about whether psychedelics enhance, impair, or leave cognition unchanged. Future research should assess both acute and long-term cognitive effects as psychedelics become available for psychiatric treatment.