Efficacy and risks of psychedelics in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review

Current literature most strongly supports MDMA and intravenous ketamine as treatments for PTSD. Under professional supervision, these agents may reduce PTSD symptoms and are generally well tolerated. However, findings require cautious interpretation because of limitations including treatment expectancy effects and potential inadequate blinding. Additional randomized controlled trials of other psychedelics, such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide, are necessary to evaluate their effectiveness for PTSD.

Study at a glance

Abstract

MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. Studies suggest treatment with these agents under supervision may lead to improvements in PTSD symptoms, with the medications being generally well tolerated. However, caution should be used when interpreting study results due to limitations such as treatment expectancy effect and the potential for inadequate blinding. Randomized controlled studies of other psychedelics (eg, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide) are needed to assess their utility in PTSD.