The age of psychedelics
Journal of Psychopharmacology January 1, 2022 A. H. Young 3 citations
The field of clinical psychopharmacology has experienced shifting fortunes, particularly regarding antidepressants. After a period of celebration for drugs like SSRIs, popular opinion turned negative due to discredited analyses suggesting they were no better than placebo, though it is now recognized that antidepressants do work. Controversy continues over withdrawal and addiction claims. New treatments are emerging, including ketamine for major depressive episodes, which meta-analyses indicate is effective and practicable in routine settings. Psychedelic psychopharmacology has also reemerged, with serotonergic agents like psilocybin and MDMA showing promise for depression and PTSD, respectively. Experts recommend supplementing traditional confirmatory trials with pragmatic trials, real-world data, and digital health solutions to optimize psychedelic therapy protocols.