Psychedelic-assisted therapy: An overview for the internist
Franklin King, Brian S. Barnett, Erin Mauney
Cleveland Clinic Journal of Medicine March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.3949/ccjm.92a.24032 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psychedelic-assisted therapy MDMA Psilocybin Lysergic acid diethylamide |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Intensive care medicine |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic-assisted therapy may be efficacious for several conditions, but the FDA declined to approve MDMA in 2024 and requested another phase 3 trial. |
Abstract
Preliminary evidence suggests that psychedelic-assisted therapy-the enhancement of psychotherapy with psychedelics such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphet-amine (MDMA) and psilocybin-may be efficacious for depression, posttraumatic stress disorder, substance use disorders, and other conditions. Therapeutic psychedelic research is advancing steadily, with psilocybin, MDMA, and lysergic acid diethylamide designated breakthrough therapies by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). However, in August 2024, the FDA declined to approve a New Drug Application for MDMA and asked its sponsor to conduct another phase 3 trial. Clinicians are urged to prepare for the possible return of psychedelics to medicine.