New Insights Into the Clinical and Nonclinical Effects of Psychedelic Substances
Matthias Forstmann, Christina Sagioglou
European Psychologist September 17, 2021 DOI: 10.1027/1016-9040/a000447 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Hallucinogen Cognition Clinical psychology Paranoia Mental health Harm Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic research has revived, showing potential benefits in treating mental health disorders and effects on healthy subjects, but the review does not state a single primary result. |
Abstract
Abstract. After decades of stagnation, research on psychedelic substances (such as lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], psilocybin, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine [DMT]) has experienced a renaissance over the last 10 years, with various major research programs being conducted across Europe and the United States. This research primarily investigates the potential of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders, their short- and long-term effects on recreational users, and the neurological and cognitive processes responsible for their effects. The present review provides a concise summary of the most recent insights gained from this research. We briefly outline the history of psychedelic research, the objective and subjective effects caused by these substances, the prevalence and socio-psychological correlates of their use, as well as their potential for harm. Subsequently, we review empirical research on the beneficial effects of psychedelics in clinical samples, focusing on their efficacy in the treatment of major depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, and discuss research on the proposed neural and cognitive mechanisms behind these effects. We then review research on their effects on healthy subjects, focusing on psychological well-being as well as changes in personality, nature-relatedness, and creativity. Finally, we review empirical evidence regarding the long-term effects of single experiences with psychedelics and conclude with a summary and outlook.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD for anxiety, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Modern Clinical Research on LSD | 2017 | Review | |
| Ayahuasca: Pharmacology, neuroscience and therapeutic potential | 2016 | Review | |
| Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine | 2017 | Review | |
| Studies on Lysergic Acid Diethylamide (LSD-25) Nonpsychotic subjects | 1956 | Review | |
| The Past and Future of Psychedelic Science: An Introduction to This Issue | 2019 | Review |