Die Psychotherapie
February 15, 2024
Helena Aicher, Yasmin Schmid, Peter Gasser
20 citations
Since the late 1990s, psychedelics have experienced a renaissance, attracting increasing international attention. Scientific studies increasingly examine the possibilities and risks of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT). Since 2014, based on exceptional permits from the Swiss health authority (BAG), LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin have been used therapeutically within limited medical applications on a case-by-case basis. Over the past nine years, more than 1000 exceptional permits have been granted to about 60 therapists, and an estimated 2000 to 3000 treatments with psychedelics have been conducted.
Die Psychotherapie
February 9, 2024
Dimitris Repantis, Michael Koslowski, Sascha Benjamin Fink
4 citations
Clinical research on psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental disorders has resumed in recent years, with a steadily increasing number of studies and publications. This has raised many ethical questions that have not yet been sufficiently examined and answered. This article provides an overview of the state of clinical research and then addresses the central ethical issues arising from this particular form of therapy. Using current literature and examples from an ongoing study in Germany, ethical questions are examined in detail.
Die Psychotherapie
February 8, 2024
Helena Aicher, Peter Gasser
3 citations
Early study results suggest potential for psychedelics and MDMA in treating affective disorders. This paper argues that therapist training is crucial for safe and effective use in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT). Different contexts, such as study settings or psychotherapeutic practice, require different qualifications. For example, the responsibilities of sitter and therapist must be distinguished, with implications for training programs. This diversity is reflected in existing international offerings. Current practice in Switzerland is based on exceptional permits from the health authority for limited medical use of LSD, MDMA, and psilocybin.