The Lancet Psychiatry - Mindscape Collective

Treatment with psychedelics is psychotherapy: beyond reductionism

The Lancet Psychiatry December 12, 2023 Gerhard Gründer, Manuela Brand, Lea J. Mertens et al. 103 citations

Treatment of psychiatric disorders with psychedelic substances is promising, but there is debate over whether therapeutic effects come solely from the drug or require psychotherapy. Some recent studies suggest the substance alone may be responsible, with therapists providing only safety support. This Personal View argues that viewing psychedelic treatment as a purely biological intervention with psychological support for safety reflects an outdated, reductionistic dualism that has long dominated psychiatry. The discussion has important implications for how these compounds are studied and regulated.

DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(23)00363-2 Reductionism Psychotherapist Psychology Medline +3

Turn on and tune in to evidence-based psychedelic research

The Lancet Psychiatry January 1, 2015 Ben Sessa 20 citations

Psilocybin, a hallucinogen found in certain mushrooms, significantly improved depression symptoms in 67% of participants after just one treatment. In a trial involving 120 individuals, those receiving psilocybin reported enhanced well-being and reduced anxiety levels compared to a control group. The findings suggest that psychedelics like psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide could play a transformative role in psychiatry, influencing neurotransmitter receptors and behavior. As these substances gain mainstream acceptance, their potential applications in medicine and psychology are increasingly recognized.

DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(14)00120-5 Psilocybin Lysergic acid diethylamide Hallucinogen Mainstream +6

Altered states: psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression

The Lancet Psychiatry May 17, 2016 Philip J. Cowen 13 citations

A commentary discusses a study of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, an uncontrolled trial in which 12 patients received two doses of psilocybin 7 days apart. The study supported the feasibility and safety of this protocol, with preliminary efficacy data suggesting an antidepressant effect. The commentary notes that patients were better educated than average, with ten of 12 having at least an undergraduate degree, and five had previously used psilocybin, increasing the likelihood of expectancy effects. At 3-month follow-up, about half the group still showed significant depressive symptoms. The commentary also discusses the need for longer-term outcomes and the importance of controlling for expectancy in future studies.

DOI: 10.1016/s2215-0366(16)30087-6 Psilocybin Treatment-resistant depression Anxiety Depression economics +7