Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
September 13, 2023
Jacob S. Aday, Brian S. Barnett, Dan Grossman et al.
56 citations
The psychedelic industry has grown into a multibillion dollar sector, with hundreds of companies formed in recent years to commercialize psychedelic-assisted therapies. Investment surged in the late 2010s and early 2020s, focusing on drug discovery, novel formulations, manufacturing, treatment centers, consumer goods, and adjunct technologies. Key challenges include regulatory barriers, high treatment costs, and intellectual property issues. Ethical concerns involve potential adverse effects, cost-cutting, ensuring access for marginalized communities, and reciprocity with Indigenous peoples. Lessons from the ketamine and cannabis industries offer guidance on regulatory approval, clinical implementation, and insurance reimbursement.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
March 13, 2023
David E. Nichols, Charles D. Nichols, Peter S. Hendricks
39 citations
A proposed consensus statement defines psychedelic drugs as substances that reliably produce profound alterations in consciousness, perception, and mood through agonist activity at the serotonin 2A receptor. The definition emphasizes pharmacological mechanism over subjective effects, distinguishing psychedelics from other psychoactive compounds. The authors argue that a standardized definition is essential for advancing medical research, drug development, and clinical applications by providing a clear framework for classification and nomenclature. This consensus aims to reduce ambiguity in scientific and therapeutic contexts, supporting more precise communication and regulatory clarity in psychedelic research.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
March 12, 2024
Alexander Wen, Nikhita Singhal, Brett D.M. Jones et al.
36 citations
Blinding is especially difficult in randomized controlled trials of psychedelics because these drugs produce noticeable changes in consciousness. This systematic review of 50 papers from 48 clinical trials published between 1963 and January 2023 found that most studies were double-blinded, used within-subjects designs, and employed inert placebos. The majority did not report on whether blinding procedures were successful, and in those that did, blinding failed. To reduce unblinding and expectancy effects, the authors recommend using active placebos and dose-response or active comparator designs.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
December 13, 2023
Kelley C. O'Donnell, Daniel E. Roberts, Terence H.W. Ching et al.
13 citations
The term 'psychedelic' carries multiple, sometimes conflicting, meanings across different contexts—scientific, cultural, legal, and historical. This ambiguity can hinder clear communication and slow research progress by creating misunderstandings among researchers, clinicians, policymakers, and the public. The authors argue that recognizing and clarifying these varied definitions is essential for advancing the field, as precise language helps align expectations, improve study reproducibility, and inform policy decisions. Without shared understanding, efforts to study and apply psychedelics therapeutically risk confusion and fragmentation.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
December 13, 2023
Nicholas A. Carlisle, Haley Maria Dourron, Sarah Maccarthy et al.
12 citations
Chronic shame, often stemming from internalized stigma, disproportionately affects sexual and gender minority (SGM) adults and undermines mental health. This theoretical and philosophical paper argues that psychedelic-assisted therapy holds unique potential to reduce such shame by disrupting rigid self-narratives and fostering self-compassion. The authors suggest that the pharmacological and contextual features of psychedelic experiences—particularly enhanced emotional openness and mystical-type experiences—may directly target shame-related neural and psychological processes. They propose that psychedelic therapy could offer SGM individuals a reparative pathway toward healing and psychological wellness, distinct from conventional treatments. The paper calls for further empirical investigation into psychedelics as a tailored intervention for chronic shame in this population.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
December 2, 2024
Amanda Argot Efthimiou, Amanda M. Cardinale, Agnieszka Kepa
8 citations
Music plays a central role in psychedelic-assisted therapy by guiding emotional processing and deep introspection. This analysis compares neuroscientific research, indigenous entheogenic rituals, and modern therapeutic models to show that music enhances therapeutic benefits across contexts. Neuroscientific studies indicate that music modulates brain responses during psychedelic states, supporting emotional breakthroughs. Indigenous traditions use music as a core element of healing ceremonies, while contemporary care models integrate music to structure sessions and improve outcomes. The work suggests that music's function in psychedelic therapy is consistent across ancient and modern practices, reinforcing its importance for healing.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
December 13, 2023
Andrew Penn, Rachel Yehuda
7 citations
Psychedelic medicines are returning as clinical treatments, but much remains unknown about their safe and effective use in patient populations. This article reviews the history of how psychedelics were originally outlawed and then outlines research questions that need to be answered to fill knowledge gaps and ensure that psychedelic-assisted therapy is deployed effectively, while noting that non-clinical stakeholders may have different interests from clinicians.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
March 13, 2023
Peter S. Hendricks, Charles D. Nichols, Kathryn A. Cunningham et al.
7 citations
A roundtable discussion among experts traces the history, current state, and future directions of psychedelic medicine. Participants review the early research era of the mid-20th century, the subsequent decades of prohibition, and the recent resurgence of clinical trials exploring psychedelics for mental health conditions. The conversation highlights therapeutic applications of substances such as psilocybin and MDMA, emphasizing their potential to treat depression, PTSD, and addiction. Experts also address challenges including regulatory hurdles, the need for trained therapists, and the importance of integrating these treatments into mainstream healthcare. The discussion concludes with cautious optimism about the field's trajectory.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
September 13, 2023
Peter S. Hendricks, Charles D. Nichols
6 citations
A survey of psychedelic researchers found that a substantial majority have personal experience with psychedelics, and many report that this experience positively influences their professional work, including enhancing empathy and insight. The study highlights that personal use is common in the field, yet often remains an unspoken topic, suggesting it may shape research perspectives and practices.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
September 4, 2024
Mitch Earleywine, Samantha G. Gomez
5 citations
The text argues that small, accumulating therapist effects pose a challenge to determining whether personal psychedelic experience is essential for effective psychedelic therapists. It suggests that therapist competence and skills, including personal experience, may influence patient outcomes, but the evidence is limited by the difficulty of isolating these effects in small studies. The authors indicate that while personal experience might be beneficial, it is not definitively proven as essential, and more research is needed to understand its role in therapeutic success.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
December 2, 2024
Sara G. Gloeckler, Alexandre Lehmann, Sara de la Salle et al.
4 citations
A survey of over 2,000 people who used psychedelic substances in non-clinical settings found that most reported therapeutic benefits and enjoyment from combining music with their experiences, though the degree of benefit varied by substance. Contrary to clinical guidelines that recommend unfamiliar, lyric-free music, only 10% of respondents agreed music should be unfamiliar and only 22% agreed it should lack understandable lyrics. The data also suggest that psychedelic experiences without music may offer unique benefits, especially with the shortest- and longest-acting substances. These findings indicate that current music selection guidelines for psychedelic therapy may need more nuanced, substance-specific research.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
September 4, 2024
Shannon Dames, Crosbie Watler, Pamela Kryskow et al.
4 citations
Training programs for psychedelic-assisted therapy should include firsthand experience of nonordinary states of consciousness as a core component for developing therapist competence. The argument centers on how direct engagement with altered states provides practitioners with essential insights into the therapeutic process, enhances empathy and understanding of patients' experiences, and improves the effectiveness of therapeutic guidance. This experiential learning is presented as critical for achieving optimal healing outcomes and treatment efficacy, rather than relying solely on theoretical knowledge or observational training.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
December 13, 2023
Lauren Lepow, Hope Kronman, Rachel Yehuda
2 citations
As psychedelic research expands, agreeing on a single definition of 'psychedelic' may be counterproductive, potentially limiting what these substances can reveal about the mind and brain. Rather than seeking premature consensus, the authors propose treating psychedelics as heuristic tools that guide scientists toward novel theories. Modern computational tools can map the vast landscape of psychedelic variables—molecular biology, physiology, phenomenology, psychology, and ceremony—allowing definitions and categories to be iteratively refined for greater rigor and reproducibility.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
December 13, 2023
David E. Nichols, Peter S. Hendricks, Charles D. Nichols
1 citation
The authors argue that the term 'psychedelic' is being applied so broadly in recent scientific literature that it risks losing its meaning. They respond to two other articles, contending that not all altered states of consciousness or therapeutic experiences qualify as psychedelic. The piece calls for more precise terminology to preserve the distinctiveness of classic psychedelics and their effects, warning that overextension could dilute scientific classification and hinder research into specific mechanisms and therapeutic applications.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle)
March 12, 2024
Jacob S. Aday, Natasha L. Mason, Bo Jarrett Wood et al.
Early-career researchers in psychedelic science discuss the challenges and opportunities of building a career in this emerging field. They describe obstacles such as stigma, funding hurdles, and professional uncertainty alongside the potential for innovation and profound impact. The roundtable highlights the need for mentorship, interdisciplinary collaboration, and perseverance to advance the field and develop sustainable professional paths.