Psychedelic compounds are being reexamined for their psychological and neurobiological effects. Evidence suggests they can treat mood disorders, PTSD, and addiction by enhancing neuroplasticity and disrupting maladaptive cognitive patterns. Psychologically, they facilitate introspection and emotional processing; neuroscientific findings show altered brain network dynamics. Anthropological and philosophical perspectives contextualize their cultural and existential significance. In medicine, they offer novel interventions for chronic pain and palliative care. The review calls for rigorous, ethically grounded research to explore psychedelics' potential in reshaping mental health paradigms and cognitive science.
A narrative review of existing literature examines the potential of psychedelics such as psilocybin and LSD for treating dementia, a progressive neurodegenerative disease characterized by cognitive decline, memory loss, and behavioral changes. Psychedelics alter perception, mood, and cognition by affecting serotonin receptors and may promote neuroplasticity, reduce neuroinflammation, and enhance cognitive flexibility. These effects could slow disease progression and improve quality of life for patients, who often experience emotional distress, and may also help prevent dementia by fostering brain health. The review raises significant safety and ethical concerns and aims to critically raise awareness on the topic.