Why Psychiatry Needs Psychedelics and Psychedelics Need Psychiatry
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2014 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2014.877322 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 26 |
| Key points | Argues that psychiatry's failure to research psychedelic drugs for medical therapy hinders their therapeutic potential and perpetuates negative perceptions of users, and that resolution requires professionals to adapt to a conservative paradigm. |
Abstract
Without researching psychedelic drugs for medical therapy, psychiatry is turning its back on a group of compounds that could have great potential. Without the validation of the medical profession, the psychedelic drugs, and those who take them off-license, remain archaic sentiments of the past, with the users maligned as recreational drug abusers and subject to continued negative opinion. These two disparate groups--psychiatrists and recreational psychedelic drug users--are united by their shared recognition of the healing potential of these compounds. A resolution of this conflict is essential for the future of psychiatric medicine and psychedelic culture alike. Progression will come from professionals working in the field adapting to fit a conservative paradigm. In this way, they can provide the public with important treatments and also raise the profile of expanded consciousness in mainstream society.