Quality of reporting on psychological interventions in psychedelic treatments: a systematic review.
Carolina Seybert, Nina Schimmers, Lucio Silva, Joost J. Breeksema, Jolien K E Veraart, Bárbara S Bessa, Dora d'Orsi, Robert A Schoevers, Albino J Oliveira-Maia
The Lancet Psychiatry 2025 DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(24)00333-x (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Systematic review Preregistered Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 45 |
| Population | Original studies on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for mental disorders |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Mental health treatment Therapeutic protocols Clinical research |
| Citations | 26 |
| Key findings | Completeness of reporting on psychological interventions in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy studies is mostly low, with MDMA studies showing more homogeneous and detailed reporting. |
Abstract
Although studies of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy are accumulating, there is no consensus regarding best practice of the psychotherapeutic component. In this systematic review, we summarised the quality of reporting on psychological interventions in research about psychedelic treatments. The design followed PRISMA guidelines and was preregistered in PROSPERO (CRD42022319221). We searched MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and Embase for original studies on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and included 45 studies assessing psilocybin, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), lysergic acid diethylamide (known as LSD), or ayahuasca, for the treatment of mental disorders. Psychological interventions were done heterogeneously across studies, and completeness of information reported about these interventions was mostly low, according to an adaptation of the Template for Intervention Description and Replication checklist. In studies including MDMA, psychotherapy was more homogeneous and more procedural details were provided. Improved reporting on psychological interventions of psychedelic treatments will support replicability, generalisability, and accurate interpretation of research, while enhancing feasibility and safety of future clinical research and real-world implementation of treatments.
Comparable studies
Other systematic reviews and meta-analyses on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| A Meta-Analysis of Placebo-Controlled Trials of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy | 2020 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions | 2022 | Systematic review | |
| Psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Participants in studies of psychedelic therapy for depressive symptoms (Major... | 2023 | Systematic review with meta-analysis | n = 14 |
| Psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Patients diagnosed with life-threatening illnesses or major depressive disorder | 2023 | Systematic review and meta-analysis | n = 686 |
| Treating posttraumatic stress disorder with MDMA-assisted psychotherapy: A preliminary meta-analysis and comparison to prolonged exposure therapy Patients with PTSD | 2016 | Meta-analysis |
Citations in the library
Cited by 26
- Set and setting of psychedelics for therapeutic use in psychiatry: A systematic review Journal of Psychopharmacology May 12, 2025
- Key competencies for psychedelic treatment in real-world mental health care settings. General Hospital Psychiatry 2025
- Psychological Therapy Quantity and Depressive Symptom Reduction in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JAMA Network Open January 2, 2026
- Psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy and mindfulness-based stress reduction for frontline healthcare provider COVID-19-related depression and burnout: A randomized controlled trial PLoS Medicine September 19, 2025
- Concomitant use of antidepressants and classic psychedelics: A scoping review Journal of Psychopharmacology September 12, 2025
and 21 more in the library
Cites 56
- 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
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Effects of Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy on Major Depressive Disorder JAMA Psychiatry November 4, 2020
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
and 51 more in the library