Developing an Ethics and Policy Framework for Psychedelic Clinical Care: A Consensus Statement.
Amy L McGuire, I Glenn Cohen, Dominic Sisti, Matthew Baggott, Yuria Celidwen, Neşe Devenot, Sabrina Gracias, Charles Grob, Ifetayo Harvey, Brent Kious, Mason Marks, Michael Mithoefer, Elizabeth Nielson, Dost Öngür, Alexandra Pallas, Andrew Peterson, Eduardo E Schenberg, Paul Summergrad, Brett Waters, Monnica T Williams, David B Yaden
JAMA network open June 3, 2024 DOI: 10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2024.14650 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA consensus statement from a 2023 meeting of 27 experts identifies 20 points of consensus across five ethical issues for integrating psychedelic medicines into mainstream medical practice: reparations and reciprocity, equity, and respect; informed consent; professional boundaries and physical touch; personal experience; and gatekeeping. The meeting included clinicians, researchers, Indigenous groups, industry, philanthropy, veterans, retreat facilitators, training programs, and bioethicists. The statement focuses on government-approved medical use in the US and abroad, emphasizing that policymakers must address challenges ahead while acknowledging the hopeful moment.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Consensus statement Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 27 |
| Population | Clinicians, researchers, Indigenous groups, industry, philanthropy, veterans, retreat facilitators, training programs, and bioethicists |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychedelic medicine Psychedelic treatment Psychedelics Medical ethics |
| Citations | 41 |
| Key finding | 20 points of consensus were identified across five ethical issues for integrating psychedelic medicines into clinical practice, with corresponding actors responsible for implementation. |
Abstract
As government agencies around the globe contemplate approval of the first psychedelic medicines, many questions remain about their ethical integration into mainstream medical practice. To identify key ethics and policy issues related to the eventual integration of psychedelic therapies into clinical practice. From June 9 to 12, 2023, 27 individuals representing the perspectives of clinicians, researchers, Indigenous groups, industry, philanthropy, veterans, retreat facilitators, training programs, and bioethicists convened at the Banbury Center at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory. Prior to the meeting, attendees submitted key ethics and policy issues for psychedelic medicine. Responses were categorized into 6 broad topics: research ethics issues; managing expectations and informed consent; therapeutic ethics; training, education, and licensure of practitioners; equity and access; and appropriate role of gatekeeping. Attendees with relevant expertise presented on each topic, followed by group discussion. Meeting organizers (A.L.M., I.G.C., D.S.) drafted a summary of the discussion and recommendations, noting points of consensus and disagreement, which were discussed and revised as a group. This consensus statement reports 20 points of consensus across 5 ethical issues (reparations and reciprocity, equity, and respect; informed consent; professional boundaries and physical touch; personal experience; and gatekeeping), with corresponding relevant actors who will be responsible for implementation. Areas for further research and deliberation are also identified. This consensus statement focuses on the future of government-approved medical use of psychedelic medicines in the US and abroad. This is an incredibly exciting and hopeful moment, but it is critical that policymakers take seriously the challenges ahead.