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Psychedelic therapy in depression and substance use disorders

Nur Damla Korkmaz, Ugur Cikrikcili, Merve Akan, Emrah Yucesan

European Journal of Neuroscience May 21, 2024 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.16421 (opens in new tab)

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Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Review Peer reviewed
Topics Anxiety Depression Addiction Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Neurobiology Psychedelics Substance disorders Alternative medicine Mental health Therapeutic research
Citations 19
Key findings Classical psychedelics show promising potential for treating neuropsychiatric diseases where conventional treatments are insufficient.

Abstract

Abstract Psychoactive substances obtained from botanicals have been applied for a wide variety of purposes in the rituals of different cultures for thousands of years. Classical psychedelics from N,N′‐dimethyltryptamine, psilocybin, mescaline and various lysergamides cause specific alterations in perception, emotion and cognition by acting through serotonin 5‐HT 2A receptor activation. Lysergic acid diethylamide, the first famous breakthrough in the field, was discovered by chance by Albert Hoffman in the Zurich Sandoz laboratory in 1943, and studies on its psychoactive effects began to take place in the literature. Studies in this area were blocked after the legislation controlling the use and research of psychedelic drugs came into force in 1967, but since the 1990s, it has started to be a matter of scientific curiosity again by various research groups. In particular, with the crucial reports of psychotherapy‐assisted psilocybin applications for life‐threatening cancer‐related anxiety and depression, a new avenues have been opened in the treatment of psychiatric diseases such as treatment‐resistant depression and substance addictions. An increasing number of studies show that psychedelics have a very promising potential in the treatment of neuropsychiatric diseases where the desired efficiency cannot be achieved with conventional treatment methods. In this context, we discuss psychedelic therapy, encompassing its historical development, therapeutic applications and potential treatment effects—especially in depression, trauma disorders and substance use disorders—within the framework of ethical considerations.

Comparable studies

Other narrative reviews on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
The Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are Necessary for Their Enduring Therapeutic Effects. 2020 Review
Psychedelic Psychiatry's Brave New World. 2020 Review
Clinical investigations of the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca: rationale and regulatory challenges. 2004 Review
Inclusion of people of color in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: a review of the literature 2018 Review
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development 2018 Review

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Anxiety Depression Addiction Psychedelic-assisted therapy DMT LSD Mescaline Psilocybin Serotonin