Psychedelic‐assisted therapy for functional neurological disorders: A theoretical framework and review of prior reports
Benjamin Stewart, Jon G Dean, Adriana Koek, Jason Chua, Rafael Wabl, Kayla Martin, Naveed Davoodian, Christopher Becker, Mai Himedan, Amanda Kim, Roger Albin, Kelvin L. Chou, Vikas Kotagal
Pharmacology Research & Perspectives February 2, 2021 DOI: 10.1002/prp2.688 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Serotonin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Hallucinogens Psychosomatic medicine Receptor Hallucinogen therapy Psychedelic medicine Conversion disorder: hysteria Neuropharmacology: psychopharmacology Neurobiology Brain chemistry Drug mechanisms Somatoform disorders Functional somatic syndromes |
| Citations | 15 |
| Key findings | There is intriguing preliminary evidence to support the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in functional neurological disorders, but further research is needed. |
Abstract
Abstract Functional neurological disorders (FNDs), which are sometimes also referred to as psychogenic neurological disorders or conversion disorder, are common disabling neuropsychiatric disorders with limited treatment options. FNDs can present with sensory and/or motor symptoms, and, though they may mimic other neurological conditions, they are thought to occur via mechanisms other than those related to identifiable structural neuropathology and, in many cases, appear to be triggered and sustained by recognizable psychological factors. There is intriguing preliminary evidence to support the use of psychedelic‐assisted therapy in a growing number of psychiatric illnesses, including FNDs. We review the theoretical arguments for and against exploring psychedelic‐assisted therapy as a treatment for FNDs. We also provide an in‐depth discussion of prior published cases detailing the use of psychedelics for psychosomatic conditions, analyzing therapeutic outcomes from a contemporary neuroscientific vantage as informed by several recent neuroimaging studies on psychedelics and FNDs.