Psychedelics in Psychiatry: New Treatment Paradigms or Addictive Treatment Strategies? A Narrative Review
Pharmaceutical science. December 9, 2025 Marco Otto Toscano, Serena Chiara Civardi, Federico Durbano
Psychedelics, studied since the 1800s, are seeing renewed scientific interest after decades of prohibition. Research points to their therapeutic potential for treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders and their usefulness for studying brain networks and consciousness. This chapter reviews the history, traditional uses, mechanisms, and clinical evidence for ayahuasca, mescaline, psilocybin, ibogaine, and LSD. It also covers regulatory and ethical issues like informed consent and cultural respect, and discusses debates on ego dissolution and 'non-subjective psychedelics.' Psychedelics are described as 'molecules of complexity' that integrate biological, psychological, and social dimensions, suggesting a paradigm shift in psychiatry. However, the data remain preliminary and not unequivocal; excessive enthusiasm could expose people to more risks than benefits if research is not rigorous.