Psychedelics, the media portrayal and large-language model evaluations

Abstract

Psychedelics were used for centuries in healing and spiritual rituals, long before the mid-20th century when they became subjects of biomedical research. Although initial trials generated optimism, these were quickly overshadowed by sensationalist media coverage and political backlash. Following decades of inactivity, research on compounds including 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) has resurged, along with the media attention. Investigating this growing interest, Bender et al employed a large-language model, validated against human raters, to analyse 25 years of media articles (2000-2025), quantifying trends in sentiment towards psychedelic therapies. Findings showed a dramatic increase in coverage, with positive sentiment peaking in 2020 followed by a significant decline from 2024, coinciding with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's decision not to approve MDMA-assisted therapy for post-traumatic stress disorder, and echoing the dynamics of the 1960s. The authors emphasise that sustained progress in the field will require reliance on scientific evidence to advance therapeutic applications.