Need for a broader discussion on psychedelic therapy

Abstract

I address this letter to the Editorial Board of the “Journal of Psychiatry and Clinical Psychology” as an advocate of a critical yet hopeful approach to psychedelic-assisted therapy for the prevention and treatment of mental disorders. Global mental health is a key challenge of the 21st century. However, the available therapies are currently facing well-known limitations. The introduction of novel approaches, which focus on prevention and show efficacy regardless of diagnostic boundaries, could be a milestone in improving mental health on a global scale. Recent years have witnessed a renaissance in research on psychedelics, which has not only provided important insights into the mechanisms of action of these substances, but also demonstrated their broad transdiagnostic therapeutic applications. This paper aims to shed some light on the evolving landscape of psychedelic research, highlighting the implications for psychiatric treatment.