J Am Acad Child Adolesc Psychiatry
December 19, 2024
Jessica K. Jeffrey, Marc J. Weintraub, Charles S. Grob
The authors respond to two letters about their earlier commentary on psychedelic-assisted therapy trials for 16- to 17-year-olds. They reaffirm that ethical and methodologically rigorous research is essential across psychedelic medicine and that conducting such research in adolescents is sensible and worthwhile. They also acknowledge risks from extrapolating adult efficacy data and from off-label prescribing practices common in child and adolescent psychiatry, inviting further dialogue on the subject.
Psychiatric News
April 1, 2021
Charles S. Grob
After decades of limited research, psychedelics have returned to clinical investigation, driven largely by private funding. Early 1950s and 1960s studies suggested potential benefits for serious, treatment-resistant conditions such as substance use disorders, obsessive-compulsive disorder, chronic posttraumatic stress disorder, and end-of-life anxiety. However, a cultural and political backlash led to restrictive laws that halted most research until the 21st century. The author argues that while psychedelic therapies hold promise, they also carry risks of adverse effects, which can be minimized through careful screening and controlled settings. Maintaining strong ethical structures is essential to avoid repeating past mistakes and to ensure patient safety and equitable access.
Integrative Addiction and Recovery
September 1, 2018
Charles S. Grob
Classic hallucinogens are powerful psychoactive substances with a long history of human use, integral to prehistorical and aboriginal cultures and belief systems. They were later condemned and repressed by evolving civilizations, only to be rediscovered in the 20th century. Their use spread to the general culture, especially among youth during the politically tumultuous 1960s, and was seen as causing cultural upheaval and a public health crisis. After decades of quiescence, rigorous controlled research on hallucinogens has resumed. This chapter covers their historical background, neuropharmacology, cultural use, risks of adverse events and addiction, the recent renaissance of research, and models for optimal use and future implications.
European Psychiatry
January 1, 2010
Evelyn Doering-Silveira, Enrique Lopez, Charles S. Grob et al.
Adolescents who consume ayahuasca in a religious ritual setting perform well on neuropsychological tests, but not as well as non-using peers on complex tasks that require more cognitive functions. The study compared 40 ayahuasca-using adolescents with 40 matched controls. Both groups performed well overall, but controls outperformed users on the more demanding tests. The authors suggest ayahuasca may have subtle effects on cognition observable only during highly demanding tasks, while noting that other variables could have influenced the results.
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs
April 1, 1993
Marlene Dobkin de Rios, Charles S. Grob
This work reviews the book 'Vine of the Soul: Medicine Men, Their Plants and Rituals in the Colombian Amazonia,' which examines the traditional use of psychoactive plants, particularly ayahuasca, by indigenous medicine men in the Colombian Amazon. The book documents the cultural, ritual, and medicinal contexts of these practices, emphasizing the role of plant-based knowledge in indigenous healing and spiritual traditions. The review highlights the book's contribution to ethnobotany and the understanding of Amazonian shamanism, noting its detailed descriptions of rituals and the relationship between plants and healers.