Expert recommendations for Germany’s integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy
Susanne Birnkammer, Olga Chernoloz, Sergio Pérez Rosal, Joseph T. la Torre, Monnica T. Williams, Sonya C. Faber
BMC Medical Education October 24, 2024 DOI: 10.1186/s12909-024-06141-3 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Medical education Medline |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key points | Proposes that Germany can lead Europe in implementing psychedelic-assisted therapy by developing robust infrastructure including ethical standards, training protocols, and regulatory oversight. |
Abstract
As clinical trials for psychedelics move into phase III in the USA, Europe must address its lag in integrating professional education around psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) and supporting psychedelic drug research. This paper evaluates the necessary frameworks for implementing PAT in Germany, emphasizing the nation's potential leadership role within the European Union. With Australia having already approved MDMA and psilocybin for mental health indications, the Ukrainian government exploring MDMA treatment for war-related PTSD, and initial clinical trials involving MDMA and LSD with patients in Switzerland which restarted the restricted medical use of these substances around 2014, the medical authorization of psychedelics in these countries establishes precedent showcasing both the promise and challenges of researching and implementing PAT in nations where the substances were formally scheduled as illicit substances. Key challenges include establishing rigorous standards for practitioner training, accessibility, and defining regulatory oversight. This paper focuses on the development of robust infrastructure in Germany, which will support the roll out of PAT, and details ethical considerations, training protocols, and governmental roles in the formulation of treatment frameworks. This approach aims not only to guide Germany in adopting PAT but also to influence broader European policy, ensuring that patients receive ethically sound and proficient care. The findings suggest pathways for Europe to reclaim its historical lead in psychiatric and therapeutic innovation.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Awe: a putative mechanism underlying the effects of classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Towards psychedelic apprenticeship: Developing a gentle touch for the mediation and validation of psychedelic-induced insights and revelations. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 11
- Ethical issues with psychedelic-assisted treatments in psychiatry: A systematic scoping review Psychological Medicine 2025
- Regulatory Alignment of Psilocybin Clinical Trials in Major Depressive Disorder on ClinicalTrials.gov: A Cross-Sectional Analysis Pharmacopsychiatry April 17, 2025
- Bridging the reporting gap: Application of the ReSPCT guidelines in psilocybin clinical trial protocols. European Neuropsychopharmacology January 16, 2026
- Quantifying psilocybin exposure in a natural product–based retreat setting: An observational field method for dose measurement Psychedelics July 18, 2026
- The Entrepreneurship of Psychedelic Negativity: Psymposia, Trauma, Iatrogenic Harm, and Prohibition 2.0 Contemporary Drug Problems July 10, 2026
and 6 more in the library
Cites 36
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- Efficacy and safety of psilocybin-assisted treatment for major depressive disorder: Prospective 12-month follow-up Journal of Psychopharmacology February 1, 2022
- A randomized, controlled pilot study of MDMA (±3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of resistant, chronic Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) Journal of Psychopharmacology October 31, 2012
- MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Nature Medicine October 1, 2023
- Psychiatry & the psychedelic drugs. Past, present & future. Neuropharmacology December 25, 2017
and 31 more in the library