Assessing the risk–benefit profile of classical psychedelics: a clinical review of second-wave psychedelic research
Psychopharmacology January 13, 2022 David Bender, David J. Hellerstein 82 citations
A review of studies since 1991 identified 14 clinical trials of classical psychedelics—11 of psilocybin (257 participants), 1 of LSD (12 participants), and 2 of ayahuasca (46 participants). Published studies largely support the hypothesis that small numbers of treatments with psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can offer significant and sustained alleviation of symptoms for multiple psychiatric conditions. No serious adverse events attributed to psychedelic therapy have been reported. Existing studies have limitations including small sample sizes, difficulty in blinding, limited follow-up, and highly screened treatment populations. The ideal means of employing these substances to minimize adverse events and maximize therapeutic effects remains controversial.