How Should We Expand Access to Psychedelics While Maintaining an Environment of Peace and Safety?
Zachary J Verne, Jeffrey S Zabinski
AMA journal of ethics November 1, 2024 DOI: 10.1001/amajethics.2024.868 (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 | Ketamine clinics Medical safety protocols Mental health treatment Therapeutic guidelines |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key points | Argues that balancing protection from exploitation and risks of hypermedicalization requires differentiating between psychiatric patients and wellness users of psychedelics. |
Abstract
Psychedelics have long been used by individuals seeking peace and a sense of wellness. This article examines widespread adoption of ketamine as a proxy for psychedelics. For ketamine, there is a need to protect vulnerable persons from exploitation that should be balanced against risks of hypermedicalization. This article suggests strategies for striking such a balance, including by carefully differentiating between persons with psychiatric illnesses, such as treatment-resistant depression, who could benefit from psychedelics, and persons using psychedelics for peace and wellness under careful guidance.
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 |