Return of the sacred: Psychiatry's evolving relationship with spirituality.

Psychiatry has long held an ambivalent stance toward religion and spirituality, recognizing their importance but remaining cautious about integrating them into clinical practice. This article examines the historical, conceptual, and clinical tensions surrounding spirituality in psychiatry, particularly in light of renewed interest from contemporary psychedelic research. The authors discuss definitions, diagnostic categories, and evidence linking spirituality and meaning to mental health. They explore how psychedelic-assisted therapies highlight both therapeutic potential and ethical risks in addressing existential suffering. Psychiatry faces a challenging opportunity to incorporate spiritual dimensions of distress without undermining scientific integrity, which will shape its future relationship with the sacred.

Study at a glance

Abstract

BackgroundPsychiatry has long maintained an ambivalent relationship with religion and spirituality, often acknowledging their relevance while remaining cautious about clinical engagement.ObjectivesThis article examines the historical, conceptual, and clinical tensions surrounding spirituality in psychiatry and explores how contemporary psychedelic research has renewed attention to meaning and transcendence.DiscussionWe examine definitions, nosology, and evidence linking spirituality and meaning within psychiatry. We explore how psychedelic-assisted therapies highlight both therapeutic potential and ethical risks in addressing existential suffering.ConclusionPsychiatry faces a challenging opportunity to integrate spiritual dimensions of distress without compromising scientific integrity, shaping its future relationship with the sacred.