International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
April 1, 2024
Joseph T. Torre, Mehdi Mahammadli, Sonya C. Faber et al.
31 citations
Experts in psychiatry, clinical psychology, and psychedelic research agree that excluding people with personal or family histories of psychosis, bipolar disorder, or similar conditions from psychedelic clinical trials may be justified only when protocols offer minimal psychological support. In interviews with 12 experts, themes derived from interpretative phenomenological analysis indicated that psychedelic-, ketamine-, and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy with high levels of support are not necessarily contraindicated for all such individuals and may benefit some. Factors like specific symptoms, illness duration, severity, therapeutic alliance, trauma's role, and available supports could help predict outcomes. More research is needed to develop a safe protocol for this population.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
March 7, 2024
Brandon Weiss, Leor Roseman, Bruna Giribaldi et al.
26 citations
Acute psychological experiences, particularly mystical experience and ego dissolution, partially account for how psilocybin therapy improves depression compared to escitalopram. In a phase 2 trial of patients with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder, mystical experience and ego dissolution uniquely mediated the effect of treatment on depressive response. Higher levels of mystical experience, emotional breakthrough, and intense music-listening responses were also linked to greater antidepressant improvement. These findings suggest that acute psychological experiences play a causal mechanistic role in psilocybin therapy for depression.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
April 1, 2024
Monnica T. Williams, Victor Cabral, Sonya Faber
22 citations
Psychedelic-assisted therapies show promise for treating mental health disorders, but people of color and other marginalized groups have been largely excluded from clinical trials, leaving fundamental clinical issues unaddressed. A narrative review of relevant research on racial trauma, ethnic minority mental health, and psychedelic therapies suggests these treatments can advance recovery for people of color, while also highlighting potential harms. As many psychedelic therapy trials near completion and access expands, the paper argues for equitable research practices—including community-based participatory research and culturally informed design—to foster inclusion and culturally competent care.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
April 1, 2024
Christine Diindiisi Mccleave, Susan Beaulieu, Rainbow Lopez et al.
9 citations
Indigenous experts, students, and practitioners from North America discuss the historical context of colonialism within the Psychedelic Renaissance, the duality of Spirit and science, and the challenges Indigenous people face in psychedelic spaces. The commentary examines how culture aids healing trauma, the harms inflicted upon Indigenous Peoples, conflicting worldviews between Indigenous cultures and Western culture, and differences in scientific and economic paradigms. The authors analyze colonization's effects on relationships with one another and with entheogenic plant medicines.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
September 22, 2023
Olivia Marcus, Elias Dakwar
6 citations
Psychedelics demonstrate significant potential in treating mental health disorders, with a recent study involving 200 participants revealing that 65% experienced substantial symptom relief after therapy sessions. The use of these substances in behavioral medicine shows promise, particularly for conditions like depression and anxiety. Participants reported lasting improvements, with 50% maintaining benefits six months post-treatment. This highlights the intersection of alternative medicine and psychology, suggesting that psychedelics could transform approaches to mental health care and enhance outcomes in public health initiatives.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
November 28, 2023
Tayler Holborn, Robert L. Page, Fabrizio Schifano et al.
5 citations
A review of 24 studies found that people use novel psychoactive substances (NPS) to self-medicate, primarily for anxiety, depression, and ADHD. Specific links emerged between cluster headaches and psychedelic NPS, and between anxiety and novel benzodiazepines. Novel benzodiazepine use among young individuals is a particular concern. The authors call for greater healthcare professional awareness and more qualitative research into motivations.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
April 1, 2024
Doris Payer, Sukhpreet Klaire, Dominique Morisano et al.
4 citations
A 2022 scientific research conference in Toronto brought together stakeholders from multiple disciplines to discuss the potential role of psychedelic compounds in treating mental health and substance use disorders. This Special Issue includes 8 papers based on conference presentations, covering quantitative and qualitative works plus two letters to the editors. The articles present the current state of psychedelic research, viewpoints on impacts for underrepresented communities, the need to recognize the history of these compounds beyond the new Western renaissance, and the complexities of integrating psychedelics into mainstream medicine. The collection emphasizes that collaboration can advance the field to harness its potential impact.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
April 24, 2025
3 citations
No Summary
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
April 1, 2025
Joshua C. Black, Nicole Schow, Hannah L. Burkett et al.
3 citations
Among US adults with a history of anxiety, major depression, PTSD, or bipolar disorder, past use of serotonergic psychedelics or MDMA is more common than in the general population—for example, 9.2% of those with bipolar disorder report such use versus 2.6% overall. Using a validated screening tool, psychedelic use was linked to higher scores indicating more severe substance use disorder risk, even after accounting for other drug use. However, the increase in risk was smaller than that associated with opioids or stimulants. The authors suggest that managing substance use disorder risks in psychedelic-assisted therapy may require different approaches than those used for other drugs.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
April 1, 2024
David T. Kryszajtys, Jacqueline L. Bender, Brian Rush et al.
2 citations
People who use psychedelics to self-treat depression and anxiety often arrive at that decision after being dissatisfied with standard mental health care. An analysis of 98 posts from online discussion threads revealed a four-stage decision-making process: first, frustration with conventional treatment; second, exploring limited information about psychedelic options; third, trial-and-error use despite safety uncertainties; and fourth, either continuing or stopping self-treatment. Those who continued adapted their practices over time. Decisions were guided by personal and peers' experiences rather than scientific evidence, and many avoided healthcare and official sources due to stigma and legal concerns. The findings suggest a need for user-informed decisional support to reduce harm.
International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction
March 17, 2026
Haley Maria Dourron, Melissa K. Bradley, Heith Copes et al.
Interviews with 19 people diagnosed with non-affective psychotic disorders who had used psychedelics revealed that, while some similarities exist in altered thinking and meaning attribution, most participants reported that psychedelic experiences did not closely resemble their psychosis. Sensory alterations, emotional experience, sense of control, and self-experience were points of contrast. When asked which drug most resembled their psychotic symptoms, the majority endorsed cannabis, followed by dissociative anesthetics and stimulants. The findings suggest that psychedelics may not accurately model many symptoms of psychosis and that interpreting psychedelic experiences as broadly psychosis-like may be misleading.