Frontiers in Psychiatry
November 26, 2021
Ahmad Rehman, Habib Syed, Kathryn Forcer et al.
40 citations
A pilot study of NHS psychiatrists found that while 77.2% believe there should be a role for controlled or therapeutic use of psychedelics, psychiatrists at all levels do not feel prepared to deliver psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. Trainees were better informed than non-training grade psychiatrists. Thematic analysis of focus groups revealed three main themes: need for knowledge, openness to change, and uncertainty. The study suggests that significant training needs and both professional and societal shifts are required before psychedelic-assisted therapy could become a mainstream treatment option in psychiatry.
Frontiers in psychiatry
January 1, 2023
Ellen James, David Erritzøe, Tiffanie Benway et al.
16 citations
A phase 1 trial tested escalating intravenous doses of the psychedelic DMT (SPL026) in healthy volunteers who had never used psychedelics, to find a safe, tolerable dose for a future trial in people with major depressive disorder. Participants were randomly assigned to placebo or one of four doses (9, 12, 17, or 21.5 mg). The drug was well tolerated with no serious adverse events. Higher blood levels of DMT correlated with stronger ratings of mystical experience, ego dissolution, and intensity, though these trends need confirmation in larger studies. Based on safety and pharmacodynamic results, 21.5 mg given as a two-phase infusion was chosen for the patient trial.
Nat Med
February 16, 2026
David Erritzøe, Tommaso Barba, Tiffanie Benway et al.
4 citations
A single 21.5-mg intravenous dose of the psychedelic DMT, given with psychotherapeutic support, produced a rapid and significant reduction in depressive symptoms in adults with moderate-to-severe major depressive disorder. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial with 34 participants, those receiving DMT showed a greater decrease in depression scores at two weeks compared to placebo. Antidepressant effects persisted up to three months in an open-label phase. Adverse events were mostly mild to moderate, and no serious adverse events occurred.