Ethics of Psychedelic Use in Psychiatry and Beyond—Drawing upon Legal, Social and Clinical Challenges
Nuno Azevedo, Miguel Oliveira Da Silva, Luís Madeira
Philosophies August 24, 2023 DOI: 10.3390/philosophies8050076 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Informed consent Therapeutic psychedelics Psychedelics in medicine Bioethics: ethics Medical ethics Ethical considerations Healthcare ethics Healthcare policy: legislation Medical legislation Drug policy Regulatory frameworks Patient autonomy Consent in therapy Medical consent Cultural context: cultural Cultural implications Social context |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics need to be culturally contextualized, epistemic harm minimized and represented to ensure informed consent, and open data and commissions are needed to ensure safe and equal distribution. |
Abstract
Background: Psychedelics are known for their powerful mental effects due to the activation of 5HT-2A receptors in the brain. During the 1950s and 1960s, research was conducted on these molecules until their criminalization. However, their clinical investigation as therapeutic tools for psychiatric disorders has revived the deontological ethics surrounding this subject. Questions arise as research on their therapeutic outcome becomes a reality. We aim to explore deontological ethics to understand the implications of psychedelics for the clinician, patient, and society.
Results: A total of 42 articles were considered for this review.
Methods: A methodological search of psychedelic studies from 2017 to 2022 was conducted in PubMed, Scopus, EBSCOhost, and ScienceDirect to address the deontological ethics of clinical psychedelic use.
Conclusion: Psychedelics need to be culturally contextualized, epistemic harm minimized and represented to ensure informed consent. Open data and commissions are needed to ensure safe and equal distribution.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cited by 13
- Wolves Among Sheep: Sexual Violations in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. The American Journal of Bioethics January 13, 2025
- Utilizing Psychedelics to Enhance Well-Being: A Systematic Review Journal of Psychoactive Drugs March 31, 2025
- An overview of psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine in revitalizing psychedelic-assisted therapy: Insights, limitations and future directions. Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry July 25, 2025
- Ethical issues with psychedelic-assisted treatments in psychiatry: A systematic scoping review Psychological Medicine 2025
- Review of Psilocybin Use for Depression among Cancer Patients after Approval in Oregon Cancers April 27, 2024
and 8 more in the library
Cites 72
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having substantial and sustained personal meaning and spiritual significance Psychopharmacology July 7, 2006
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness Journal of Psychopharmacology September 28, 2011
- Mystical-type experiences occasioned by psilocybin mediate the attribution of personal meaning and spiritual significance 14 months later Journal of Psychopharmacology May 30, 2008
and 67 more in the library