Psychedelic Therapeutics for Adolescents: Ethics, Safety, Opportunities, and Equipoise
Samuel Dotson, James Luccarelli
Journal of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry July 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1016/j.jaac.2024.12.001 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Argues that the assumption of psychedelic safety for adolescents, based on adult trial data, is questionable given increasing evidence of risks in adult studies. |
Abstract
We read with interest the Commentary by Jeffrey et al. encouraging clinical research using psychedelics for adolescents.1 Throughout their commentary, the authors operate under the general presupposition that psychedelics have demonstrated a favorable safety profile in adults, and that therefore teenagers approaching an adult level of neurodevelopment can likely be safely treated with appropriate safeguards. Although we concur that there is an urgent need for new psychopharmaceuticals for adolescents, we question this assumption of safety, given increasing evidence of risks associated with psychedelics in adult trials.2,3.