Psychedelic Therapeutics for Adolescents: Ethics, Safety, Opportunities, and Equipoise-Authors' Reply.

The authors respond to two letters about their earlier commentary on psychedelic-assisted therapy trials for 16- to 17-year-olds. They reaffirm that ethical and methodologically rigorous research is essential across psychedelic medicine and that conducting such research in adolescents is sensible and worthwhile. They also acknowledge risks from extrapolating adult efficacy data and from off-label prescribing practices common in child and adolescent psychiatry, inviting further dialogue on the subject.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We are writing in response to 2 Letters to the Editor, both of which discussed our commentary, entitled "Clinical Research Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in Adolescents Aged 16 to 17 Years: Rationale Balanced With Caution."1 We appreciate the thoughtful responses to our commentary, and we invite further dialogue about this important subject. Both letters emphasized the importance in engaging in thoughtful research approaches to ensure the safety of individuals who are administered psychedelics. To ensure safety, ethical and methodologically rigorous research must be conducted across the field of psychedelic medicine. We maintain that conducting such research among adolescents is sensible and worthwhile, but also acknowledge the potential risks associated with extrapolating efficacy data from adult trials and off-label prescribing practices common in child and adolescent psychiatry.