PLoS ONE
May 2, 2025
Nikita Singh, Srijith Kambala, Logan Neitzke‐spruill et al.
10 citations
Public interest in psychedelics and adult use has grown alongside research into their clinical potential. A landscape analysis of online, publicly available information identified 298 organizations offering psychedelic retreats to English-speaking consumers between July and December 2023. Most organizations focused on general wellness rather than religious identity. Ayahuasca was the most commonly offered substance, followed by psilocybin and San Pedro. Retreats were held at 440 distinct physical locations worldwide, with 130 inside the United States and 310 outside. Prices varied widely. Further research into retreat practices is recommended to reduce harm and support consumer education.
JAMA Netw Open
January 2, 2026
Amy L. Mcguire, Logan Neitzke-Spruill, Jill O. Robinson et al.
4 citations
Psychedelic retreat organizations vary widely in their safety precautions. All 49 organizations interviewed collected participant medical histories, and 73.5% excluded individuals with certain health conditions. Most required or recommended medication washout periods ranging from one day to over six weeks. While 69.4% worked with a licensed health care professional or someone with emergency response training, only 65.3% had such personnel in attendance at retreats at least some of the time. All organizations offered integration support. The variability in practices, particularly around medication washout and polysubstance use, may increase risks to participants. Best practice guidelines are needed and should be codeveloped with Indigenous and nonclinical communities.
J Affect Disord
May 16, 2026
David S. Mathai, Madeleine Cluck, Amna M. Aslam et al.
1 citation
A panel of experts from the American Society of Ketamine Physicians, Psychotherapists, and Practitioners used a Delphi process to develop consensus guidelines for administering intravenous ketamine infusions to treat depressive disorders. The guidelines provide recommendations on patient selection, dosing, safety monitoring, and treatment protocols, aiming to standardize clinical practice and improve patient outcomes. The consensus reflects agreement among specialists on best practices for this off-label use of ketamine.
Brazilian Journal of Psychiatry
January 1, 2025
David S. Mathai, Jill O. Robinson, Kevin Wagner et al.
1 citation
Among 2,639 Hispanic and Latin American adults with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) living across the Americas, 9% reported using psychedelics or related substances for treatment. Most (72%) had received traditional treatments like psychiatric medication or psychotherapy. Psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA were the most used psychedelics. Users were more likely to be male, have received non-ERP therapy, and have a comorbid psychiatric diagnosis. Outcomes for OCD symptoms varied widely by drug and were difficult to predict, but were most favorable for classic serotonergic psychedelics. Real-world evidence suggests Hispanic and Latin American adults are exploring psychedelics as a treatment for OCD, though further research is needed to establish safe and effective use.
Psychedelics
May 1, 2026
Madeleine Cluck, Alison B. Purcell, Zuzana Kazan et al.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) differs from standard psychiatric treatments by requiring fewer doses and promoting profound cognitive shifts. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) has been treated with medication and behavioral therapies, but adverse effects and negative perceptions of therapy within the autistic community have spurred interest in PAT. Overlap in neuropsychological effects of psychedelics with autism, such as serotonergic signaling and prosocial behavior, suggests potential benefits for autistic adults. However, PAT's sensation-heavy experiences may induce stress in some participants, and most research on reducing distress focuses on neurotypical populations. The modalities, goals, and integration of PAT may need adaptation for autistic adults, and ethical considerations are warranted before large-scale clinical trials.
Journal of Drug Issues
April 26, 2025
Shayla Frinton, Jill O. Robinson
People use psilocybin for different reasons depending on whether they take a microdose (0.1–0.4 g) or a macrodose (1 g+), each producing distinct perceptual and mood effects. An online survey measured motives with an adapted Marijuana Motives Measure and found statistically significant differences in motives between the two doses. A thematic analysis further revealed that motives also differ for initiating versus continuing use. These results suggest that harm reduction and public policy should account for dosage-specific motivations.