From Safe Touch to Sexual Abuse: Walking the Tightrope of Patient Safety in Psychedelic Therapy

The mainstreaming of psychedelic-assisted therapy raises complex questions about how to responsibly integrate these treatments into existing legal and medical systems. The authors argue that current regulatory frameworks, originally designed for conventional pharmaceuticals, may be ill-suited to the unique ethical, clinical, and cultural dimensions of psychedelic substances. They examine potential conflicts between medical oversight and the diverse traditions from which these therapies emerge, and suggest that careful, inclusive policy development is needed to balance innovation with patient safety and respect for indigenous knowledge. The piece highlights the importance of anticipating regulatory challenges before widespread clinical adoption occurs.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The recent surge in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) research and anticipated Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approval of MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine) and psilocybin treatments has bro...