Current psychiatry reports
October 1, 2022
Gregory S Barber, Scott T Aaronson
56 citations
For patients with mood disorders or PTSD who have not responded to multiple treatments, few options exist. After decades of federal restrictions on psychedelic research, recent studies have re-examined compounds like MDMA and psilocybin. These investigations involve safe administration in controlled settings, preceded by hours of participant preparation and followed by integration sessions. The improvements participants experience appear linked to profound shifts in perspective, distinct from those achieved with current standard care. Studies have addressed treatment-resistant depression, end-of-life despair, and PTSD. Psychedelic psychotherapy, combining biological therapy with psychotherapy, may transform mental health care.
Current psychiatry reports
October 1, 2003
John H Halpern
42 citations
Hallucinogen research has largely focused on epidemiology and pathology, with little attention to religious or therapeutic uses. This paper reviews less familiar compounds like Salvia divinorum, MDMA (ecstasy), and synthetic hallucinogen analogs, along with the rare condition hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (flashbacks) and its treatment. Current clinical research and case vignettes suggest hallucinogens may have anti-addictive applications. Religious, nondrug use of hallucinogens as sacred sacraments in the US and elsewhere is also discussed. The authors argue that these physiologically nonaddictive drugs may offer legitimate societal benefits, and that methodologically sound research could support such benefits, helping clinicians address hallucinogen use with patients.
Current psychiatry reports
October 1, 2022
Damien Prouzeau, Ismaël Conejero, Peter L Voyvodic et al.
32 citations
Psilocybin shows large, rapid, and persistent clinical effects in treating resistant or end-of-life depression, with good tolerance and mild side effects limited to a few hours after dosing. However, studies to date have had small sample sizes, and one clinical trial against escitalopram did not show significant superiority of psilocybin on the main outcome. The neurobiological mechanisms, which differ from those of SSRI antidepressants, remain mostly unknown. Psilocybin is a promising alternative, but further research with larger samples and comparisons to standard treatments is needed.
Current psychiatry reports
December 1, 2022
Natalie Gukasyan, Colleen C Schreyer, Roland R Griffiths et al.
29 citations
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) may be safe and effective for various mental health conditions, including eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. Classic psychedelics could have transdiagnostic benefits through mechanisms relevant to eating disorder pathology. Interest in and efforts to increase access to PAT are high, but early clinical trials are focused on safety and utility, with efficacy remaining unclear. High-quality published data supporting PAT for eating disorders is lacking, though recent studies suggest it may augment current interventions for these difficult-to-treat conditions.
Current psychiatry reports
October 1, 2023
Aaron S Wolfgang, Charles W Hoge
15 citations
MDMA- and psilocybin-assisted therapy have shown promising outcomes for PTSD and depression, respectively. MDMA-assisted therapy is already FDA-approved on a compassionate use basis for PTSD, with full approval projected for 2024; psilocybin-assisted therapy is projected to be approved for depression soon after. The VA is conducting clinical trials, but implementation barriers include high clinical hours per patient, resource requirements, military-specific considerations, and the need for strong evidence before inclusion in clinical guidelines. Policymakers in the DoD and VA must prepare clear policies for these treatments as FDA approval approaches.
Current psychiatry reports
June 1, 2025
Amishi P Jha, Mary K Izaguirre, Amy B Adler
9 citations
Mindfulness training may protect and strengthen military service members' attentional control, improving performance and holistic fitness. Implementation challenges must be addressed to realize benefits consistently at scale. Despite variation in program content, evaluation metrics, and participants' career stages, recent findings suggest mindfulness training can bolster performance, cognitive functions, psychological well-being, and social relationships. Implementation factors such as daily practice, trainers' familiarity with the military, and course content influence the extent of benefits. Attentional control is critical for effective performance yet vulnerable in high-demand cohorts like military personnel. Best practice guidance is emerging, and continued research and implementation efforts are warranted.
Current psychiatry reports
February 1, 2025
Andrew B Newberg
3 citations
Neurotheology, the study of the brain's relationship with religious and spiritual phenomena, can serve as a bridge between understanding how spirituality and religion affect brain function and how this relates to mental health changes. Research shows that religious and spiritual beliefs, practices, and experiences can profoundly impact the psyche, often positively by lowering depression, anxiety, and distress, but sometimes negatively by fostering harmful beliefs or behaviors. This field examines both positive and negative effects from a brain perspective and offers philosophical insights into the mind and perception of reality. The review evaluates these topics and considers practical applications for integrative psychiatry.
Current psychiatry reports
February 1, 2025
Jamarie Geller, Eric Whitney
3 citations
Clinical trials show psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for adults with depression and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for adults with PTSD yield encouraging results, including for treatment-resistant depression and durable remission rates. No studies have examined these treatments in adolescents. Given the high burden of untreated psychiatric illness in youth, investigating safety and efficacy in younger patients is recommended, with research and implementation tailored to adolescent needs and equity considered at every stage.
Current psychiatry reports
December 1, 2024
Daan de Jonge, Pim B van der Meer, Cornelis Kramers et al.
2 citations
A narrative review of psilocybin- and LSD-assisted treatment for alcohol use disorder (AUD) and major depressive disorder (MDD) finds growing evidence that psilocybin produces a sustained reduction in drinking frequency among people with AUD, and a recent meta-analysis shows psilocybin therapy yields a large and consistent decrease in depressive symptoms compared to no treatment. AUD and MDD frequently co-occur, and this comorbidity worsens symptoms of both disorders and complicates treatment. The authors argue that an integrated therapy addressing both conditions simultaneously could benefit such patients and call for more research on psilocybin in this dual-diagnosis population.
Current psychiatry reports
May 14, 2026
Jamarie A Geller, Rachel Pacilio, Amanda E Downey et al.
Psilocybin-assisted therapy may hold promise for anorexia nervosa, a serious and often treatment-resistant illness. Although research has focused on adults, anorexia frequently begins in adolescence, and early onset is linked to more severe illness, greater psychiatric comorbidity, and more life difficulties. The authors argue that exploring the theoretical potential of this therapy for adolescents is warranted, considering biological implications, developmental stage, and consent. They propose adaptations to adult treatment models and discuss emerging models that address the unique challenges of adolescent patients.