Psychedelic Drugs in Biomedicine
Evan J. Kyzar, Charles D. Nichols, Raul R. Gainetdinov, David E. Nichols, Allan V. Kalueff
TIPS - Trends in Pharmacological Sciences September 22, 2017 DOI: 10.1016/j.tips.2017.08.003 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Addiction Anxiety LSD Mescaline Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Biomedicine Hallucinogen Psychotherapist Pharmacology |
| Citations | 155 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic drugs show promise as treatments for addiction, depression, anxiety, and other conditions, but many questions about their mechanisms, safety, and efficacy remain. |
Abstract
Psychedelic drugs, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), mescaline, and psilocybin, exert profound effects on brain and behavior. After decades of difficulties in studying these compounds, psychedelics are again being tested as potential treatments for intractable biomedical disorders. Preclinical research of psychedelics complements human neuroimaging studies and pilot clinical trials, suggesting these compounds as promising treatments for addiction, depression, anxiety, and other conditions. However, many questions regarding the mechanisms of action, safety, and efficacy of psychedelics remain. Here, we summarize recent preclinical and clinical data in this field, discuss their pharmacological mechanisms of action, and outline critical areas for future studies of psychedelic drugs, with the goal of maximizing the potential benefits of translational psychedelic biomedicine to patients.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 3 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Preclinical and pilot clinical data suggest psychedelics are promising treatments for addiction, depression, and anxiety, though mechanisms, safety, and efficacy remain open questions.
Synthesized
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Argues that preclinical and pilot clinical data suggest psychedelics are promising treatments for addiction, depression, and anxiety, while many questions on mechanism, safety, and efficacy remain.
Synthesized
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Summarizes preclinical and pilot clinical data suggesting psychedelics are promising treatments for addiction, depression, and anxiety, while noting many open questions on mechanism, safety, and efficacy.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD for addiction, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 120
- Psychedelics Promote Structural and Functional Neural Plasticity Cell Reports June 1, 2018
- Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. Pharmacology & Therapeutics May 1, 2019
- Effective connectivity changes in LSD-induced altered states of consciousness in humans. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences January 28, 2019
- Psychedelics as anti-inflammatory agents International Review of Psychiatry July 4, 2018
- Reviewing the Potential of Psychedelics for the Treatment of PTSD The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology March 12, 2020
and 115 more in the library
Cites 53
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: an open-label feasibility study. The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016
- The entropic brain: a theory of conscious states informed by neuroimaging research with psychedelic drugs Frontiers in Human Neuroscience 2014
and 48 more in the library