Cautions on the Notion of Moral Enhancement with Psychedelics. Reply to Kähönen, J. Subjective Effects of Psychedelics Are the Plausible Mechanism of Psychedelic Moral Enhancement Rather than a Risk. Comment on “Tang, B.L. Psychedelics for Moral Bioenhancement in Healthy Individuals—A Violation of the Non-Maleficence Principle? Psychoactives 2025, 4, 5”
Bor Luen Tang
Psychoactives December 17, 2025 DOI: 10.3390/psychoactives4040044 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary or response article Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Argues that the notion of moral enhancement with psychedelics needs substantially more scientific evidence and extended bioethical debates. |
Abstract
Kähönen argued that the harms associated with psychedelics have been overstated, while evidence for the latter’s moral enhancing effects was disregarded, in my earlier commentary. Here, I respond to these arguments and maintain that the notion of moral enhancement with psychedelics needs substantially more scientific evidence and extended bioethical debates.
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Towards an understanding of psychedelic-induced neuroplasticity. Neuropsychopharmacology 2023
- Effect of Psilocybin on Empathy and Moral Decision-Making The International Journal of Neuropsychopharmacology June 14, 2017
- Differential effects of MDMA and methylphenidate on social cognition Journal of Psychopharmacology July 22, 2014
- The relationships of classic psychedelic use with criminal behavior in the United States adult population Journal of Psychopharmacology October 17, 2017
- Neurobehavioral outcomes of infants exposed to MDMA (Ecstasy) and other recreational drugs during pregnancy Neurotoxicology and Teratology March 5, 2012
and 4 more in the library