Psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders.
Journal of the neurological sciences September 15, 2022 Sabrina Correa Da Costa, Tyler Oesterle, Teresa A Rummans et al. 21 citations
Existing psychiatric drugs often work slowly, have limited effectiveness, and cause side effects. Recent human studies with psychedelics such as psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD show rapid and lasting clinical benefits for conditions like alcohol use disorder, anxiety, and depression in terminal illness. These compounds have been used in spiritual ceremonies for millennia, and early research suggested their therapeutic potential. After a research pause following the 1970 Controlled Substance Act, interest revived in the 1990s. Although preliminary findings are encouraging, current evidence is insufficient for routine clinical use; long-term safety and efficacy remain unclear, and ongoing trials aim to clarify these questions. This article provides an overview of the evidence to date.