To the Editor: Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) combines psychedelics, such as psilocybin, with guided psychotherapeutic support. 1 These substances interact with patient's mindset ("set") and the surrounding environment ("setting"), 2 making the context of the experience a critical factor in therapeutic outcomes.As these substances gain recognition for their therapeutic potential, it is...
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has typically been evaluated using conventional randomised controlled trials (RCTs), which assess treatment efficacy under highly controlled conditions. However, PAT constitutes a complex intervention, integrating pharmacological, psychotherapeutic and contextual elements that interact dynamically with patient experiences and healthcare settings. Conventional...
abstract: Paul's concepts of "Transformative Experiences" (TE) has sparked extensive discussion on multiple epistemological and ethical issues within philosophy. In particular, Paul's work has inspired significant work on the possibility of informed consent with regard to medical interventions that may induce said TEs. One such intervention, namely Psychedelic-assisted Therapy (PAT), has been...
Psychedelic substances have experienced a resurgence of clinical interest in recent years, particularly for their promising effects in the treatment of psychiatric disorders such as depression and anxiety. While evidence regarding their role in chronic pain management remains limited, emerging studies suggest potential therapeutic benefits. This case report describes a patient with persistent...
The resurgence of interest in psychedelic compounds as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders represents a paradigm shift in mental health care. Psychedelics exert their effects through serotonergic modulation, particularly via 5-HT2A receptor activation, inducing profound alterations in consciousness and catalyzing neuroplasticity. While their neurobiological effects are...
In recent years, renewed attention has been given to the centrality of set and setting inpsychedelic-assisted therapy. The Reporting of Setting in Psychedelic Clinical Trials (ReSPCT)guidelines reflect an evolving consensus: therapeutic outcomes are not solely pharmacologicallydetermined but are heavily shaped by both the environment and the psychological state of theparticipant...
August 23, 2025Joseph M. Diehl, M. Zachary Rosenthal
preprint
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) has emerged as a promising intervention for conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders by enhancing the therapeutic potential of psychedelics with structured psychological support during preparation, dosing, and integration phases. Despite encouraging trial results, evidence for therapeutic mechanisms and optimal frameworks for PAP...
Abstract Background: Psychedelics can acutely induce mystical experiences and elevated positive mood, which may contribute to the potential benefits of psychedelic therapy. However, there remains limited understanding of the occurrence and importance of specific positive emotional experiences within psychedelic therapy. Therefore, we examined the effects of psychedelics on positive emotional...
Abstract Background There has been a surge of interest in psychedelic research, especially with regards to the therapeutic properties of these compounds. This has led to the emergence of psychedelic assisted psychotherapy (PAP). PAP is showing promise for a range of mental health conditions, including major depressive disorder and PTSD, leading to (perhaps premature) international changes in...