Enhanced independence: De-biasing processes in psychedelic research and beyond
Research Ethics April 2, 2025 Katherine Cheung, Rebecca Ehrenkranz, David B. Yaden 2 citations
Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) are the gold standard for showing treatment efficacy, but they alone do not prevent all bias. This paper reviews conflicts of interest and other biases that challenge methodological rigor in psychedelic RCTs, and recommends four actionable mitigation measures: independent data assessment, multisite trials, quantitative bias analysis, and open science practices. These practices are not specific to psychedelic research and could reduce bias across clinical research fields.