JAMA network open
January 2, 2026
Gianluca Andri Florineth, Isabell Klima, Anna Laura Boeker et al.
5 citations
In a systematic review and meta-analysis of 12 controlled clinical trials involving 733 adults with depressive symptoms, psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with psilocybin or LSD produced a large overall reduction in depressive symptoms compared to control conditions. More hours of preparation therapy before the psychedelic session were significantly linked to greater symptom reduction. However, the number of post-dosing integration therapy hours, total therapy sessions, and longer follow-up periods were not associated with better outcomes. Most studies had high risk of bias due to ineffective blinding. The findings suggest that preparation therapy may be a key component in optimizing PAT outcomes, but further research is needed.
SUCHT - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis / Journal of Addiction Research and Practice
December 1, 2025
Alexander Wopfner, Leila M. Soravia
In Switzerland, psilocybin can be used therapeutically under exceptional licenses. A clinic developed a standardized program for psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy for addiction disorders, based on evidence and ethics. The quarterly program includes diagnostics, several individual and group preparation sessions, one psilocybin group session, and integrative follow-ups. Comprehensive quality assurance, strict selection criteria, specifically trained staff, and thorough preparation enhance safety. The group setting fosters resources such as belonging, acceptance, and compassion, and enables problem-actualizing and clarifying experiences. Over twelve cycles, 89 treatments were conducted with 36 patients without serious complications. The method shows potential for treatment-refractory addiction disorders but requires high therapeutic competence and institutional resources.
SUCHT - Zeitschrift für Wissenschaft und Praxis / Journal of Addiction Research and Practice
December 1, 2025
Alexander Wopfner, Thilo Beck, Louise Penzenstadler
The Swiss Society for Addiction Medicine (SSAM) advocates for evidence-based, patient-oriented treatment of addiction disorders. Given recent scientific findings and international developments, SSAM evaluates psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAT) with classic psychedelics such as LSD or psilocybin and the atypical psychedelic ketamine as a therapy option for addiction disorders when guideline-based treatments do not provide sufficient stability. SSAM also supports an open, evidence-based debate on the legalization and appropriate regulation of classic and atypical psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, and the most widely used non-medical entactogen MDMA, in Switzerland. This includes both therapeutic applications and use outside a medical context to promote harm reduction and enable access to safe, quality-controlled substances.