Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: hope and dilemma
Year: 2023
Type: article
Abstract: Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: hope and dilemmaPsychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is an emerging therapeutic approach that combines the use of psychedelics (a subclass of hallucinogenic drugs) and psychotherapy for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and treatment-resistant depression.Compared with current treatments for depression, psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy has a more direct impact on brain activity, which can result in profound insights and promote introspection, emotional release, and cognitive shifts.Most importantly, it requires fewer treatment regimens, often just one, and in a yet-to-bepublished study, the therapeutic benefits have been shown to result in sustained remission of depression at 18 months following a single treatment.The early, promising effect of single-dose psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression in clinical trials has provided new hope for the treatment for mental health conditions.Australia has become the first country to approve the prescribing of two psychedelic substances, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA; colloquially known as ecstasy or molly) and psilocybin (a compound derived from magic mushrooms), for the treatment of PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.It is optimistically anticipated that the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) will also grant approval by 2024.In contrast, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) is proceeding with caution and has outlined a number of concerns around the approval of psychedelics for medical use in the European Union (EU).The discourse surrounding the application of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for clinical use has created a dilemma and sparked debate among mental health professionals, researchers, and patrons of psychedelics, effectively diving them into two factions: those who endorse this innovative treatment and those who are sceptical.Both sides are supported by equally valid arguments.On one hand, proponents emphasize the long-lasting positive effect of the treatment and meaningful progress after just one treatment.On the other hand, critics draw attention to the paucity of substantial evidence due to small sample sizes in trials, the absence of clarity regarding ideal candidates for this treatment, and potential for adverse experiences in some patients, leading to exacerbated psychological challenges, commonly referred to as so-called 'bad trips'.
Language: English
Subfield: Clinical Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $4,000
OpenAlex ID: W4386420994