A review of psychedelic research finds that studies vary widely in how they report side effects and often follow participants for only a short time. The authors call for future work to describe side effects more clearly and systematically. This limitation makes it difficult to fully understand the risks associated with substances like psilocybin and LSD.
Since 2019, research on psychedelics including LSD, MDMA, psilocybin, and THC, as well as less-studied substances like 5-MeO-DMT, dextromethorphan, DMT, ibogaine, ketamine, and mescaline, indicates therapeutic potential for treating addiction (nicotine, alcohol, and substance dependence), depression, anxiety (including anxiety in autism spectrum disorder), PTSD, and eating disorders. With appropriate protocols, these psychoactive agents may become part of comprehensive therapy for mental disorders.