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Alik S. Widge

3 papers in the library · 42 citations · publishing 2021-2025

Papers

Psychedelics and Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

FOCUS The Journal of Lifelong Learning in Psychiatry January 1, 2021 Collin Reiff, Elon E. Richman, Charles B. Nemeroff et al. 17 citations

A review of clinical trials on psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders found the strongest evidence for MDMA and psilocybin, both designated by the FDA as breakthrough therapies for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression, respectively. Evidence for LSD and ayahuasca is observational but suggests potential therapeutic effects for mood, anxiety, trauma, and substance use disorders, as well as end-of-life care. Of 1,603 articles screened, 14 well-designed trials were identified. The database remains insufficient for FDA approval of any psychedelic for routine clinical use, but continued research is warranted.

Psilocybin: From Psychiatric Pariah to Perceived Panacea

American Journal of Psychiatry January 1, 2025 Adrienne Grzenda, Gregory A. Fonzo, Aaron Wolfgang et al. 14 citations

Current evidence does not support recommending psilocybin combined with psychological support (PST) as a psychiatric treatment. More rigorous clinical trials are needed to confirm its effectiveness in larger and more diverse patient groups, determine appropriate dosing, improve blinding methods, and understand how it works and for whom it works best. Comparing it directly with other proven treatments will clarify its potential future role in treating major psychiatric disorders.

Novel Pharmacologic and Other Somatic Treatment Approaches for Posttraumatic Stress Disorder in Adults: State of the Evidence.

The American journal of psychiatry December 1, 2024 Lauren M. Sippel, Jessica L. Hamblen, Benjamin Kelmendi et al. 11 citations

PTSD is common and can become chronic without treatment. First-line treatments are individual trauma-focused psychotherapies, with antidepressants and non-trauma-focused psychotherapies also evidence-based. Many patients do not fully recover, prompting a search for novel treatments. This review critically evaluates emerging pharmacological and somatic interventions, including medication-assisted psychotherapy (e.g., MDMA), novel monotherapies (e.g., ketamine, cannabidiol), and neuromodulation (e.g., transcranial magnetic stimulation), as well as treatments of increasing interest (hyperbaric oxygen, stellate ganglion block, neurofeedback). Evidence for most novel treatments is preliminary and highly variable, though data for transcranial magnetic stimulation are encouraging.