J Psychopharmacol
February 2, 2022
Anne K. Schlag, Jacob S. Aday, Iram Salam et al.
319 citations
Classic psychedelics carry minimal medical risks such as toxicity and overdose, and many persistent negative perceptions of psychological risks—including abuse liability and dependence—are unsupported by current scientific evidence when use occurs in regulated or medical contexts. Most reported adverse effects are not observed under these conditions. The review underscores the need for clinicians and therapists to maintain high safety and ethical standards and for balanced media reporting to avoid future controversies and allow continued research.
Lancet Psychiatry
April 5, 2017
Ilina Singh, Celia J. A. Morgan, Valerie H. Curran et al.
158 citations
Based on current evidence, off-label ketamine use for severe, treatment-resistant depression does not violate ethical principles, but clinicians and professional bodies must establish guidelines for good practice, register all trial data, and continuously monitor risks. The analysis reviews evidence for ketamine's antidepressant effects and safety profile, concluding with recommendations for oversight bodies to support safe, effective, and ethical treatment.
Psychological Medicine
December 1, 2023
Paul McCrone, Henry Fisher, Clare Knight et al.
34 citations
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) may be a cost-effective treatment for severe depression, depending on the price of the drug and the level of therapist support. A decision model compared PAP with conventional medication, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), and their combination over six months. PAP produced the highest quality-adjusted life years (0.310) but also the highest expected healthcare cost (£6,132 to £7,652). PAP became cost-effective when therapist support costs were reduced by 50% and the psilocybin price dropped to £400–£800 per person. From a societal perspective, PAP's cost-effectiveness improved further. More long-term outcome data are needed.
Front Psychol
August 21, 2024
Tehseen Noorani, Oliver Davis, Alex Dymock et al.
5 citations
The article argues that the humanities and social sciences are essential for understanding psychedelic experiences, because these experiences are shaped by context, culture, and personal history—factors often overlooked by biomedical research. It introduces the concept of "anthropotechnics" to analyze how cultural practices and settings influence the outcomes of psychedelic use. The authors contend that integrating humanistic perspectives can provide a more complete picture of how set and setting affect psychedelic experiences, moving beyond purely neurobiological explanations.
Psychedelics as Psychiatric Medications
March 1, 2023
Joanna C. Neill, Mohammed Shahid, Rosalind Gittins et al.
Before psychedelic-assisted therapy can be integrated into mainstream medicine, a thorough understanding of its risks and adverse effects is critical. Current clinical trials have left knowledge gaps, and a comprehensive analysis of human receptor pharmacology is needed to guide safe dosing and identify drug-drug interactions with common antidepressants, antipsychotics, and anticonvulsants. Post-approval pharmacovigilance will be essential for patient safety, and future trials must include more ethnically diverse populations. This innovation in psychiatry requires careful, stepwise safety and risk-benefit evaluations to maximize patient benefit.