Psychedelic therapy - refining the claim of a paradigm shift.
Helena Aicher, Max Wolff, Uwe Herwig
International Review of Psychiatry December 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2024.2410853 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Psychedelics Bio-psycho-social model Paradigm shift |
| Citations | 10 |
| Key points | Argues that the current resurgence of psychedelics in psychiatry does not constitute a true paradigm shift but is better understood as an enhancement of existing therapeutic frameworks. |
Abstract
The renewed interest in psychedelics as treatments for mental health disorders is often referred to as the "Psychedelic Renaissance." This article assesses whether this resurgence truly constitutes a paradigm shift in psychiatry, as some proponents claim, or if it should be viewed as an integration of existing therapeutic approaches. We explore historical contexts, noting that psychedelics were extensively researched in the mid-20th century and argue that many of the current claims about their novelty overlook prior knowledge and research from that period. While psychedelics do introduce novel aspects, such as rapid therapeutic effects and unique modes of action, we challenge the idea of a full paradigm shift, suggesting that these developments are better understood as enhancements to existing frameworks rather than a wholesale replacement. We emphasize the importance of integrating psychedelics within a broader bio-psycho-social model of psychiatry, combining pharmacological, psychological, and contextual factors. The therapeutic potential of psychedelics in psychotherapy has previously been described as working as "nonspecific amplifiers" of psychological processes, rather than introducing entirely new mechanisms. We suggest a balanced, integrative approach that incorporates psychedelics into existing mental health care models, cautioning against "psychedelic exceptionalism" and the risk of overselling their potential as a revolutionary treatment.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Theorizing that Psychedelic Assisted Therapy May Play a Role in the Treatment of Trauma-Induced Personality Disorders. | 2024 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Learning to Let Go: A Cognitive-Behavioral Model of How Psychedelic Therapy Promotes Acceptance | 2020 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Awe: a putative mechanism underlying the effects of classic psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy | 2018 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Ethical and legal issues in psychedelic harm reduction and integration therapy | 2021 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Towards psychedelic apprenticeship: Developing a gentle touch for the mediation and validation of psychedelic-induced insights and revelations. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cited by 12
- Further education in psychedelic-assisted therapy - experiences from Switzerland. BMC Medical Education March 5, 2025
- Key competencies for psychedelic treatment in real-world mental health care settings. General Hospital Psychiatry 2025
- From renaissance to confluence: A call for paradigm shift in psychedelic studies Psychedelics March 7, 2026
- Psychedelics, rebirth experiences, and the limits of current research Psychedelics July 1, 2026
- The purpose of the psychosocial protocol in the psychedelic-assisted therapy: A scoping review Journal of Psychopharmacology June 26, 2026
and 7 more in the library
Cites 30
- REBUS and the Anarchic Brain: Toward a Unified Model of the Brain Action of Psychedelics Pharmacological Reviews June 20, 2019
- Psychedelics and the essential importance of context. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 15, 2018
- Set and setting, psychedelics and the placebo response: An extra-pharmacological perspective on psychopharmacology Journal of Psychopharmacology November 16, 2016
- Psychedelics promote neuroplasticity through the activation of intracellular 5-HT2A receptors Science February 16, 2023
- Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics November 4, 2016
and 25 more in the library