Efficacy and risks of psychedelics in treatment of posttraumatic stress disorder: A systematic review
Jennifer E. Thomas, Anna Dellarole, Robin J Jacobs
American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy March 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/ajhp/zxag062 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Adults with PTSD |
| Topics | MDMA Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Expectancy theory Posttraumatic stress Hallucinogen Clinical psychology Randomized controlled trial Clinical trial Psychotherapist |
| Key findings | MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. |
Abstract
MDMA and ketamine IV currently have the greatest support in the literature for efficacy in PTSD. Studies suggest treatment with these agents under supervision may lead to improvements in PTSD symptoms, with the medications being generally well tolerated. However, caution should be used when interpreting study results due to limitations such as treatment expectancy effect and the potential for inadequate blinding. Randomized controlled studies of other psychedelics (eg, psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide) are needed to assess their utility in PTSD.