Psychedelic assisted therapy (PAT) content analysis: Discourses in United States and Netherlands
January 1, 2025 Kimberly Gough
Countries like the Netherlands and the United States are considering psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) as a novel treatment for addiction, anxiety, depression, existential distress, and PTSD, especially for patients who have not responded to conventional medicine. The Netherlands' motivations for exploring PAT stem from harm reduction and a desire to lead global research, but face barriers of bureaucracy, public opinion, and funding. In the US, motivations include helping veterans with PTSD, tech billionaire funding, and addressing the nationwide mental health crisis, with barriers including bureaucracy and restrictions on who can access pharmaceuticals. Sexual trauma and military sexual trauma, though part of PTSD diagnostic criteria, are rarely discussed in PAT conversations, perpetuating silence around these topics.