The use of psychedelics in the treatment of disorders of consciousness. An interview with Olivia Gosseries by Charlotte Martial.
Olivia Gosseries, Charlotte Martial
Open Repository and Bibliography (University of Liège) October 13, 2020 DOI: 10.34700/gv0w-y052 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Interview Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with disorders of consciousness |
| Intervention | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Persistent vegetative state Consciousness Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key points | Psychedelic drugs, such as psilocybin, are considered a promising treatment for disorders of consciousness, but rigorous clinical trials are needed to test their efficacy. |
Abstract
In this interview, we discuss the use of psychedelic drugs as a promising treatment in disorders of consciousness. Psilocybin, a classic psychedelic, is currently undergoing substantial clinical investigations in healthy volunteers, but also in clinical populations. Recently, experts in the field of psychedelics have addressed the attractive possibility to use such psychedelics on patients suffering from disorders of consciousness. Building on her empirical and theoretical research on disorders of consciousness, Olivia Gosseries gives us her opinion. Implementing rigorous clinical trials with psychedelics on patients with disorders of consciousness will allow their clinical efficacy to be tested. We finish the interview by briefly addressing the ethical and legal challenges and discussing other related non-pathological modified states of consciousness.