Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: The Emerging Role of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Khalaud Naseeb Alhajry, Zahra Mohammed Sukairi, Hamidah Abdullah Lajami, Safiah Anber Bin Ali Ibrahim, Nawal Obaid Alanazi, Eman Ali Alsafwani, Ashwag Saad Hnif Albishi, Nada Naser Alomi, Zahrh Ahmed Ali Al-Hamadah, Anwar Mehdaf Akash Alrowaly
Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health December 31, 2024 DOI: 10.64483/20251153 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) shows robust effectiveness for depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress, with effect sizes ranging from 0.7 to 1.2. Psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) are well positioned to deliver PAT due to their integrated care skills, but their roles remain poorly defined and they lead only 5% of trials. A systematic review of literature from 2000 to 2025 found that PMHNs contribute to safety and outcomes through trust building, monitoring, and integration. Legal barriers, lack of funding, and inequities persist. Greater training, research leadership, and policy changes are needed for equitable adoption.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) |
| Keywords | Cinahl Leverage statistics Health care Scholarship Nursing research |
| Key finding | Psychedelic-assisted therapy has robust effectiveness for depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress with effect sizes of 0.7-1.2, but psychiatric-mental health nurses lead only 5% of trials and face legal, funding, and equity barriers. |
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is experiencing a resurgence, with expanding evidence proving its efficacy for treatment-resistant psychiatric-mental health conditions. Psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) are uniquely positioned to provide PAT due to their integrated care capabilities, yet their roles are poorly defined. Aim: This review synthesizes PAT's clinical applications, mechanisms, and issues, focusing on PMHNs' preparation, dosing, and integration roles, while proposing training and policy guidelines to enhance their involvement. Methods: A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature, clinical trials, meta-analyses, and nursing scholarship was conducted. The databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were used to conduct searches for 2000-2025 studies related to the use of psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD. Results: PAT has robust effectiveness for depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress with effect sizes of 0.7-1.2. PMHNs enter safety and outcomes through trust building, monitoring, and integration, but only lead 5% of trials. Legal barriers, lack of funding, and inequities persist. Conclusion: PMHNs are the key to equitable adoption of PAT, requiring greater training, research leadership, and policy leverage to achieve maximum benefit.