Abstract
Recent clinical studies illustrate that psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin may represent much-needed new treatment options for mood disorders and alcohol and other drug use disorders. More clinical studies are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies, but the cultural stigma that has surrounded psychedelics since the 1960s has hindered research. This problem is amplified in Australia. There has been a complete absence of research into psychedelic therapies, and Australian-based research advocates claim to have encountered a number of barriers. In this commentary, we provide a brief account of the historical stigma associated with psychedelics, and an overview of the contemporary context of research into psychedelic-assisted therapies, including the purported barriers to research in Australia. In light of the complex history of psychedelics, we identify a number of pressing questions relating to the social and legal context that need to be addressed so that clinical studies can proceed. Research is needed to address such questions so that the nature and extent of purported barriers to clinical studies with psychedelics can be properly elucidated, and strategies developed – with practitioners, patients, families and other stakeholders – to responsibly address these barriers. This is important because it will enable Australian researchers to contribute robust evidence about the possible efficacy and safety of psychedelic therapies, and to facilitate local expertise needed to implement psychedelic-assisted therapies, should they prove efficacious.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 94-98 |
| Number of pages | 5 |
| Journal | International Journal of Drug Policy |
| Volume | 70 |
| DOIs |
|
| Publication status | Published - 1 Aug 2019 |
Keywords
- Addiction
- LSD
- Mood disorders
- Psilocybin
- Socio-political
- Stigma
Cite this
}
Psychedelic-assisted therapies : The past, and the need to move forward responsibly. / Gardner, John; Carter, Adrian; O'Brien, Kerry; Seear, Kate.
In: International Journal of Drug Policy, Vol. 70, 01.08.2019, p. 94-98.Research output: Contribution to journal › Comment / Debate › Other › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Psychedelic-assisted therapies
T2 - The past, and the need to move forward responsibly
AU - Gardner, John
AU - Carter, Adrian
AU - O'Brien, Kerry
AU - Seear, Kate
PY - 2019/8/1
Y1 - 2019/8/1
N2 - Recent clinical studies illustrate that psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin may represent much-needed new treatment options for mood disorders and alcohol and other drug use disorders. More clinical studies are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies, but the cultural stigma that has surrounded psychedelics since the 1960s has hindered research. This problem is amplified in Australia. There has been a complete absence of research into psychedelic therapies, and Australian-based research advocates claim to have encountered a number of barriers. In this commentary, we provide a brief account of the historical stigma associated with psychedelics, and an overview of the contemporary context of research into psychedelic-assisted therapies, including the purported barriers to research in Australia. In light of the complex history of psychedelics, we identify a number of pressing questions relating to the social and legal context that need to be addressed so that clinical studies can proceed. Research is needed to address such questions so that the nature and extent of purported barriers to clinical studies with psychedelics can be properly elucidated, and strategies developed – with practitioners, patients, families and other stakeholders – to responsibly address these barriers. This is important because it will enable Australian researchers to contribute robust evidence about the possible efficacy and safety of psychedelic therapies, and to facilitate local expertise needed to implement psychedelic-assisted therapies, should they prove efficacious.
AB - Recent clinical studies illustrate that psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin may represent much-needed new treatment options for mood disorders and alcohol and other drug use disorders. More clinical studies are required to confirm the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted therapies, but the cultural stigma that has surrounded psychedelics since the 1960s has hindered research. This problem is amplified in Australia. There has been a complete absence of research into psychedelic therapies, and Australian-based research advocates claim to have encountered a number of barriers. In this commentary, we provide a brief account of the historical stigma associated with psychedelics, and an overview of the contemporary context of research into psychedelic-assisted therapies, including the purported barriers to research in Australia. In light of the complex history of psychedelics, we identify a number of pressing questions relating to the social and legal context that need to be addressed so that clinical studies can proceed. Research is needed to address such questions so that the nature and extent of purported barriers to clinical studies with psychedelics can be properly elucidated, and strategies developed – with practitioners, patients, families and other stakeholders – to responsibly address these barriers. This is important because it will enable Australian researchers to contribute robust evidence about the possible efficacy and safety of psychedelic therapies, and to facilitate local expertise needed to implement psychedelic-assisted therapies, should they prove efficacious.
KW - Addiction
KW - LSD
KW - Mood disorders
KW - Psilocybin
KW - Socio-political
KW - Stigma
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85066129342&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.019
DO - 10.1016/j.drugpo.2019.05.019
M3 - Comment / Debate
VL - 70
SP - 94
EP - 98
JO - International Journal of Drug Policy
JF - International Journal of Drug Policy
SN - 0955-3959
ER -