AJN On the Cover
AJN American Journal of Nursing May 19, 2021 Diane Szulecki
A growing field of psychedelic-assisted therapy uses psychoactive substances such as MDMA and psilocybin to treat mental health disorders including posttraumatic stress disorder, major depressive disorder, and addiction. Both MDMA and psilocybin received breakthrough therapy designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 2017 and 2018, respectively, and are being studied in clinical trials. Nurses are positioned to play important roles in this area, as their skills align with supporting patients through therapeutic psychedelic experiences, including holding space for healing during birth, illness, and death.