Recent developments involving psychedelics
World drug report July 20, 2023 DOI: 10.18356/9789210028233c023 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Mental health Depression economics Clinical trial Hallucinogen Psychotherapist Clinical psychology |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Early psychedelic research did not meet contemporary clinical trial standards, and the rise of SSRIs offered proven alternatives for mental health treatment. |
Abstract
The therapeutic use of psychedelic substances such as LSD and psilocybin has been researched by psychologists and psychiatrists for a range of psychiatric disorders, including substance use disorders. Most of the early research around the therapeutic use of psychedelics was based on case studies or clinical trials that did not meet the contemporary standards of randomized clinical trials, e.g. with adequate controls or follow-up of the study participants. With the signing of the Convention on Psychotropic Substances in 1971, most of the known psychedelic substances at the time came under international control. However, around the same time, newer medications for the treatment of depression, PTSD and other mental health disorders appeared on the market. The main group of those medications was known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which had proven efficacy and safety in the treatment of complex mental health disorders.