Psychedelics: Historical Context, Emerging Science, and Future Clinical Frontiers
Vipul Janardan, Amit Khanna, Om Prakash, Anadrika Debbarma, Sk Mathur
Journal of Mental Health Disorders April 18, 2026 DOI: 10.33696/mentalhealth.6.068 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | LSD |
| Keywords | Class philosophy Mental health Ethical issues Public health Hallucinogen Medical science Engineering ethics Epistemology |
| Key findings | Psychedelics show efficacy in treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and addiction but require rigorous, ethically guided scientific validation. |
Abstract
Psychedelics a class of psychoactive compounds such as psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) are undergoing a scientific renaissance. Studies since 2020 have shown their therapeutic promise in mental health treatment. This Commentary synthesizes historical usage, current neuroscientific and clinical evidence, and explores ethical and regulatory frontiers for future medical integration. While showing efficacy in treatment-resistant depression, PTSD, and addiction, these substances require rigorous, ethically guided scientific validation.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl | 1959 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review | 2008 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| ADVERSE REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE | 1984 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cites 12
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Psilocybin induces rapid and persistent growth of dendritic spines in frontal cortex in vivo Neuron July 5, 2021
- MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Nature Medicine October 1, 2023
- Me, myself, bye: regional alterations in glutamate and the experience of ego dissolution with psilocybin. Neuropsychopharmacology November 1, 2020
- Identification of 5-HT2A receptor signaling pathways associated with psychedelic potential. Nature Communications December 15, 2023
and 7 more in the library