Proposed Consensus Statement on Defining Psychedelic Drugs.
David E. Nichols, Charles D. Nichols, Peter S. Hendricks
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle) March 13, 2023 DOI: 10.1089/psymed.2022.0008 via PubMed Central
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA 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.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Psychedelic drugs Psychedelics Hallucinogens Entheogens Psychoactive compounds |
| Citations | 39 |
| Key finding | A consensus definition of psychedelic drugs based on serotonin 2A receptor agonism is proposed to standardize terminology and support medical research. |
Abstract
Proposed Consensus Statement on Defining Psychedelic Drugs.