Psychedelics raise ethical concerns similar to those in other areas of medicine and psychology, not unique ones. The authors argue that treating psychedelics as ethically exceptional distorts risk assessment and policy. They identify several shared ethical considerations—such as informed consent, vulnerability, and adverse effects—that apply to psychedelic therapy just as they do to other treatments. The paper concludes that psychedelics should be integrated into existing medical and ethical frameworks rather than governed by special rules.
Psychedelics have a history of use for personal peace and wellness. This article examines ketamine as a representative psychedelic, arguing that protecting vulnerable individuals from exploitation must be balanced against the risks of excessive medicalization. It proposes strategies to differentiate between people with psychiatric conditions like treatment-resistant depression, who may benefit from psychedelics, and those using them for wellness under careful guidance, aiming for a balanced approach.