Using Psychedelics in Clinical Practice: Comparing Therapeutic Uses and Potential Harms.
Current reviews in clinical and experimental pharmacology January 1, 2023 Rabeet Tariq 5 citations
Psychedelics, among the oldest psychoactive agents used for religious or mystical experiences, were accidentally discovered in 1943 after LSD's synthesis in 1937. Banned in 1966 due to political and social factors, research remained limited until a 'Psychedelic renaissance' in the 1990s reconsidered their therapeutic value. This article reviews their history, pharmacology via 5-HT2A receptor agonism, and psychological effects, comparing proposed therapeutic uses—for depression, PTSD, anxiety, addiction, neurodegenerative and autoimmune diseases—to potential harms like tolerance, hallucinogen persisting perception disorder, and psychosis. The analysis concludes that therapeutic benefits significantly outweigh harms, warranting further research and clinical trials across countries and cultures for legal clinical approval.