Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: The Emerging Role of the Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse
Khalaud Naseeb Alhajry, Zahra Mohammed Sukairi, Hamidah Abdullah Lajami, Safiah Anber Bin Ali Ibrahim, Nawal Obaid Alanazi, Eman Ali Alsafwani, Ashwag Saad Hnif Albishi, Nada Naser Alomi, Zahrh Ahmed Ali Al-Hamadah, Anwar Mehdaf Akash Alrowaly
Saudi Journal of Medicine and Public Health December 31, 2024 DOI: 10.64483/20251153 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Cinahl Leverage statistics Health care Scholarship Nursing research Medline Health policy Distress Healthcare policy |
| Key findings | Psychedelic-assisted therapy has robust effectiveness for depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress with effect sizes of 0.7-1.2, but psychiatric-mental health nurses lead only 5% of trials and face legal, funding, and equity barriers. |
Abstract
Background: Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is experiencing a resurgence, with expanding evidence proving its efficacy for treatment-resistant psychiatric-mental health conditions. Psychiatric-mental health nurses (PMHNs) are uniquely positioned to provide PAT due to their integrated care capabilities, yet their roles are poorly defined.
Aim: This review synthesizes PAT's clinical applications, mechanisms, and issues, focusing on PMHNs' preparation, dosing, and integration roles, while proposing training and policy guidelines to enhance their involvement.
Methods: A systematic search of peer-reviewed literature, clinical trials, meta-analyses, and nursing scholarship was conducted. The databases of PubMed, PsycINFO, and CINAHL were used to conduct searches for 2000-2025 studies related to the use of psilocybin, MDMA, and LSD.
Results: PAT has robust effectiveness for depression, PTSD, substance use disorders, and end-of-life distress with effect sizes of 0.7-1.2. PMHNs enter safety and outcomes through trust building, monitoring, and integration, but only lead 5% of trials. Legal barriers, lack of funding, and inequities persist.
Conclusion: PMHNs are the key to equitable adoption of PAT, requiring greater training, research leadership, and policy leverage to achieve maximum benefit.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants in studies of psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms (Major... | 2023 | Systematic review with meta-analysis | n = 14 |
| Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patients diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or major depressive disorder | 2023 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 686 |
| Treating posttraumatic stress disorder with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: A preliminary meta-analysis and comparison to prolonged exposure therapy Patients with PTSD | 2016 | Meta-analysis |