Ethical and Practical Considerations for the Use of Psychedelics in Psychiatry
Psychiatric Services March 29, 2023 Gregory S. Barber, Charles C. Dike 63 citations
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies are generating excitement in psychiatry and the media, but they remain investigational and not yet approved for general clinical use. This review helps psychiatrists navigate the complexities of the field, covering research equipoise, informed consent, patient vulnerability, equity and access, differences between clinical and nonclinical uses, and psychedelic self-enhancement. The unique altered states of consciousness and patient vulnerability require careful ethical consideration to minimize pitfalls. The goal is to equip psychiatrists to use psychedelic psychotherapy ethically and effectively as it moves toward regulatory approval.