After early promise, research on psychedelic drugs for psychiatric treatment was halted by the 1970 Substance Act classifying them as Schedule I. Recently, interest has revived. This review highlights contemporary human studies of psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ayahuasca for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, end-of-life anxiety, and substance use disorders. Safety and efficacy from human and animal studies are discussed. Accumulated research suggests psychedelics could become breakthrough therapies for psychiatric conditions that do not respond to conventional treatments. However, their history and high potential for misuse require careful safeguards to ensure they are used as medical treatments rather than drugs of abuse.
Hallucinogen use is rising among college students, partly due to trends like microdosing and beliefs that these drugs improve mood. While some studies suggest therapeutic benefits for psychological disorders when used as adjunctive treatments, recreational use in uncontrolled doses or with drug mixing is dangerous. Students with mental health disorders may have symptoms masked by hallucinogen use, delaying treatment and risking serious consequences. Long-term use can lead to tolerance or hallucinogen persisting perception disorder. This article reviews current information on hallucinogen use as it pertains to college students.