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Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm

De Nichols, Mw Johnson, Cd Nichols

Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics November 4, 2016 DOI: 10.1002/cpt.557 (opens in new tab)

Relevant Not relevant

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed
Population General population
Interventions Psilocybin LSD
Topics Addiction Anxiety Psilocybin Serotonin
Keywords Hallucinogen Depression economics Receptor
Citations 366
Key points Proposes that serotonergic psychedelics exert therapeutic effects by destabilizing brain network hubs and enabling network resetting, with potential antiinflammatory benefits.

Abstract

Scientific interest in serotonergic psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin and LSD; 5‐HT 2A receptor agonists) has dramatically increased within the last decade. Clinical studies administering psychedelics with psychotherapy have shown preliminary evidence of robust efficacy in treating anxiety and depression, as well as addiction to tobacco and alcohol. Moreover, recent research has suggested that these compounds have potential efficacy against inflammatory diseases through novel mechanisms, with potential advantages over existing antiinflammatory agents. We propose that psychedelics exert therapeutic effects for psychiatric disorders by acutely destabilizing local brain network hubs and global network connectivity via amplification of neuronal avalanches, providing the occasion for brain network “resetting” after the acute effects have resolved. Antiinflammatory effects may hold promise for efficacy in treatment of inflammation‐related nonpsychiatric as well as potentially for psychiatric disorders. Serotonergic psychedelics operate through unique mechanisms that show promising effects for a variety of intractable, debilitating, and lethal disorders, and should be rigorously researched.

In the evidence

This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin for addiction Supports

    Argues that psychedelics may exert therapeutic effects by destabilizing brain network hubs and enabling network resetting, citing preliminary evidence of efficacy in tobacco and alcohol addiction.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Psilocybin for anxiety Supports

    Argues that psychedelics may treat anxiety and depression by acutely destabilizing brain network hubs and enabling network resetting.

    Synthesized

  • State of the evidence: Addiction Supports

    Argues that serotonergic psychedelics exert therapeutic effects by destabilizing brain network hubs and enabling network resetting, with preliminary evidence of efficacy in treating tobacco and alcohol addiction.

    Synthesized

Comparable studies

Other theoretical and historical papers on psilocybin for addiction, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Finding the divine within: exploring the role of the sacred in psychedelic integration therapy for sexual trauma and dysfunction 2021 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Jeremy Shaw's DMT 2017 Theoretical or philosophical paper
High hopes? Precision psychedelic addiction medicine 2025 Theoretical or philosophical paper
Psilocybin: Next to treat depression, OCD and nicotine addiction 2021 Historical analysis
A new classification of the psychoactive substances (stimulants, entactogens, hallucinogens) 2009 Theoretical or philosophical paper

Citations in the library

Cited by 272

and 267 more in the library

Cites 32

and 27 more in the library

Related reading

Explore topics

Addiction Anxiety Psilocybin Serotonin Depression LSD

By condition and practice

Psilocybin for addiction Psilocybin for anxiety