Identity-Based Decisional Capacity and Psychedelic Treatments: Furthering the Case Against Psychedelic Ethical Exceptionalism
American Journal of Bioethics January 1, 2025 Shen Pan, David Wendler 1 citation
Informed consent for psychedelic treatments is complicated because the substances can produce powerful, unpredictable experiences that are difficult for patients to anticipate. The authors argue that standard consent models may be inadequate, as they assume patients can understand the nature and risks of a treatment beforehand. They suggest that psychedelics' unique effects—such as ego dissolution and altered perception—pose challenges to truly informed consent, and propose alternative frameworks to address these issues, including process-based consent and ongoing dialogue.