Psychedelic therapy: bridging neuroplasticity, phenomenology, and clinical outcomes.
Ronit Kishon, Yael M. Cycowicz
Frontiers in Psychiatry September 1, 2025 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2025.1637162 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Intervention | Psychedelic therapy |
| Topics | Neuroplasticity Psychedelic-assisted therapy Philosophy of mind |
| Keywords | Mental health |
| Key points | Argues that psychedelics represent a fundamentally different therapeutic model that necessitates a reconceptualization of mental health treatment, beyond their biochemical properties. |
Abstract
The resurgence of interest in psychedelic compounds as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders represents a paradigm shift in mental health care. Psychedelics exert their effects through serotonergic modulation, particularly via 5-HT2A receptor activation, inducing profound alterations in consciousness and catalyzing neuroplasticity. While their neurobiological effects are well-documented, the therapeutic potential of psychedelics extends beyond their biochemical properties. Psychedelic therapy provides a structured framework for integrating the psychedelic experiences, comprising three key phases: preparation, administration, and integration. While current clinical trials focus primarily on establishing pharmacological efficacy across diagnostic categories, the phenomenology of psychedelic experiences offers valuable insights into precision psychiatry. Emerging evidence suggests that therapeutic benefits arise not only from acute symptom relief but also from enduring changes in self-perception, emotion regulation, and interpersonal connectedness. This paper explores the psychological dimensions of psychedelic therapy, emphasizing its implications for psychiatric treatment. By integrating neuroscientific findings with phenomenological insights, we argue that psychedelics represent more than a novel pharmacological intervention. They offer a fundamentally different therapeutic model that necessitates a reconceptualization of mental health treatment. Further research is required to refine treatment protocols, elucidate the relationship between subjective experiences and therapeutic outcomes, and establish best practices for integrating psychedelics into clinical settings.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on neuroplasticity, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Dendrite-Focused Framework for Understanding the Actions of Ketamine and Psychedelics | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Does Psychedelic Therapy Have a Transdiagnostic Action and Prophylactic Potential? | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| A complex systems perspective on psychedelic brain action. | 2023 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Critical Period Plasticity as a Framework for Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Therapeutic mechanisms of psychedelics and entactogens. | 2023 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 64
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- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Neural correlates of the psychedelic state as determined by fMRI studies with psilocybin Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 23, 2012
and 59 more in the library