Return of the sacred: Psychiatry's evolving relationship with spirituality.
Osama Bhatti, Mohammad Qasim Latifi
Australasian psychiatry : bulletin of Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists June 5, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/10398562261457011 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Psychiatry and spirituality |
| Topics | End-of-life distress Mysticism |
| Keywords | Meaning Psychedelics Religion Spirituality |
| Key findings | Psychiatry faces a challenging opportunity to integrate spiritual dimensions of distress without compromising scientific integrity, shaping its future relationship with the sacred. |
Abstract
BackgroundPsychiatry has long maintained an ambivalent relationship with religion and spirituality, often acknowledging their relevance while remaining cautious about clinical engagement.ObjectivesThis article examines the historical, conceptual, and clinical tensions surrounding spirituality in psychiatry and explores how contemporary psychedelic research has renewed attention to meaning and transcendence.DiscussionWe examine definitions, nosology, and evidence linking spirituality and meaning within psychiatry. We explore how psychedelic-assisted therapies highlight both therapeutic potential and ethical risks in addressing existential suffering.ConclusionPsychiatry faces a challenging opportunity to integrate spiritual dimensions of distress without compromising scientific integrity, shaping its future relationship with the sacred.