From Underground to Mainstream: Establishing a Medical Lexicon for Psychedelic Therapy
Andrew Beswerchij, Dominic Sisti
Frontiers in Psychiatry June 17, 2022 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.870507 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Terminology Lexicon Mainstream Informed consent Medical education Engineering ethics Alternative medicine Artificial intelligence Linguistics |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key points | Argues that a medicalized linguistic framework for psychedelics, including precise and non-stigmatizing terminology, will advance science and public acceptance. |
Abstract
We argue that non-stigmatizing and precise terminology grounded in the medical model will advance both the science and public acceptance of psychedelics. Researchers and clinicians should take care to distinguish between medical, recreational, and spiritual uses to set clear boundaries and expectations for patients. Ethically fraught or stigmatizing terms should be replaced with terminology that is medically and scientifically descriptive and accurate. A medicalized linguistic framework around psychedelics will potentially yield benefits and mitigate risks. Replacing colloquial names with scientific names for medicines and therapies may help correct misconceptions about psychedelics commonly held by both professionals and the public. A harmonized medical lexicon will also provide a common language for important instances of communication—such as the informed consent process—between professionals and participants. Our recommendations draw upon communications research in addiction medicine and aim to encourage the development, acceptance, and implementation of non-stigmatizing terminology in psychedelic research and treatment.