JAMA Psychiatry
August 24, 2022
Michael P. Bogenschutz, Stephen Ross, Snehal Bhatt et al.
668 citations
Two doses of psilocybin, given alongside psychotherapy, substantially reduced heavy drinking in people with alcohol use disorder compared to an active placebo (diphenhydramine) plus psychotherapy. Over 32 weeks, heavy drinking days averaged 9.7% in the psilocybin group versus 23.6% in the placebo group—a mean difference of 13.9 percentage points. Daily alcohol consumption was also lower with psilocybin. No serious adverse events occurred in the psilocybin group. The findings support further research into psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder.
Spirituality in Clinical Practice
September 1, 2021
Samantha K. Podrebarac, Kelley C. O’donnell, Sarah E. Mennenga et al.
38 citations
No Summary
Am J Psychiatry
January 1, 2024
Kelley C. O’donnell, Brian T. Anderson, Frederick S. Barrett et al.
31 citations
This critical response addresses misinterpretations and omissions in a commentary by Goodwin and colleagues on psilocybin-assisted therapy, arguing that the commentary misrepresents existing evidence and overlooks key methodological issues. The authors contend that the commentary fails to adequately discuss safety concerns, including adverse events and the potential for psychological distress, and omits important data on long-term outcomes. They emphasize the need for rigorous, balanced evaluation of psilocybin-assisted therapy's risks and benefits, cautioning against overstating positive outcomes while underreporting negative findings. The response calls for more transparent reporting and careful interpretation of clinical trial results.
American Journal of Psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Noam Goldway, Snehal Bhatt, Stephen Ross et al.
23 citations
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) produced lasting changes in personality, indicating a normalization of abnormal personality trait expression in people with alcohol use disorder. The findings suggest that PAT may reduce impulsiveness, or that impulsive individuals may inherently respond better to the therapy. Further research is needed to clarify the mechanism.
Am J Psychiatry
January 1, 2024
Michael D. Alpert, Kelley C. O’donnell, Casey A. Paleos et al.
22 citations
Psychotherapy is a necessary component of psychedelic treatment, providing safety and evidence-based support. The text argues that integrating structured psychological guidance with psychedelic sessions enhances therapeutic benefits and improves mental health outcomes. This combined approach fosters a supportive journey, leading to transformative mental health care and healing potential.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
September 1, 2019
Kelley C. O’donnell, Sarah E. Mennenga, Michael P. Bogenschutz
15 citations
Designing rigorous clinical trials of psilocybin for major depressive disorder requires careful attention to participant selection, placebo control, blinding, dosing, non-pharmacological support, outcome measures, and safety. Transparent methods and analysis maximize the chance of obtaining meaningful, reproducible results and help gain broader scientific acceptance for psychedelic research.
Am J Psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Kelley C. O’donnell, Jim Grigsby, Charles S. Grob
9 citations
A comprehensive review argues that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy research should expand beyond clinical efficacy to include potential harms, diverse patient experiences, and ethical integration. The authors advocate for a balanced approach that examines both therapeutic benefits and risks, emphasizing humility in interpreting findings. They call for broader investigation into how context, patient diversity, and responsible integration shape outcomes, rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction. The review highlights the need to address challenges such as adverse effects, cultural appropriation, and equitable access to ensure the full impact of these treatments is understood.
Int Rev Psychiatry
September 11, 2024
Mary E. Yaden, Terence H. W. Ching, Noam Goldway et al.
2 citations
A survey of US psychiatry residency training directors found that most (64%) favor adding more time for psychedelic education, yet many worry about a lack of educational materials (54%) and limited faculty to teach the content (46%). Almost all programs (94%) expressed some interest in a standardized curriculum in psychedelic medicine. Training directors recognize current offerings are limited and want more support to meet the coming demand for education in this emerging field.