Classic psychedelics: past uses, present trends, future possibilities
September 8, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/eys2j (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction Depression |
| Keywords | Hallucinogens Entheogens Psychotropic compounds Classic psychedelics Mental health Well-being Psychological health Emotional health Psychiatric treatment Therapy Wellness Healing Therapeutic benefits Brain science Neurobiology Cognitive science Mind research Brain receptors Mental adaptability Medical research Scientific studies Clinical trials Drug discovery Therapeutic development Scientific renaissance Efficacy Potential |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Classic psychedelics show potential efficacy for conditions such as depression and addictive disorders, with therapeutic outcomes mediated by factors like mystical experiences and psychological flexibility. |
Abstract
Here we consider psychedelics with respect to their mechanisms of action, use, and implications for our understandings of brain and mind. This review is somewhat nontraditional in its scope, with discussions of both basic facts as well as theoretical speculations. We chose this approach given the unique historical context we find ourselves in at present. While we have decades of investigations to draw upon with respect to the clinical science and neuropsychopharmacology of psychedelics, we are also witnessing a renaissance (or perhaps a revolution) in which scientific and public interest in these compounds seems to be exploding. We have decided to split this review between the fundamental and theoretical, with hopes that we can give readers familiarity with well-established knowledge, as well as questions to hold in mind in attempting to make sense of a rapidly shifting epistemic landscape. Below we focus on serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2aR) agonists, or “classic psychedelics,” and discuss research suggesting their potential roles in clinical and non-clinical contexts. Particular emphasis is placed on studies suggesting potentially surprising degrees of efficacy for conditions such as depression and addictive disorders. We also evaluate potential mediators and moderators of therapeutic outcomes, including factors such as mystical experiences and psychological flexibility. Finally, we consider likely future directions for psychedelics in science and society.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on addiction, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| Mindfulness meditation–based pain relief: a mechanistic account | 2016 | Review | |
| Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents Animal models and cellular studies | 2018 | Review | |
| A narrative review of yoga and mindfulness as complementary therapies for addiction. | 2013 | Review | |
| The neuropsychopharmacology of cannabis: A review of human imaging studies | 2018 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
- Deep CANALs: a deep learning approach to refining the canalization theory of psychopathology Neuroscience of Consciousness 2024
- Psychedelics as pharmacotherapeutics for substance use disorders: A scoping review on clinical trials and perspectives on underlying neurobiology British Journal of Pharmacology September 2, 2025
Cites 101
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and 96 more in the library