From trials to clinics: investigators’ perspectives on translating psychedelic research into clinical care
Joshua Mitchell, Logan Neitzke-Spruill, David S Mathai, Jill O Robinson, Zuzana Kazan, Lynnette A Averil, Amy L McGuire
Translational Behavioral Medicine January 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1093/tbm/ibag027 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractClinical investigators anticipate that psychedelic medicine, including MDMA and psilocybin, could eventually fit into routine clinical care and may even improve it, despite distinct challenges. These treatments differ from existing ones in drug effects, treatment models, and broader goals. Key translational challenges include uncertainty about the role of psychotherapy, high treatment costs and scalability issues, and the effects of hype and stigma on clinical uptake. The findings are based on interviews with 21 investigators at major academic psychedelic research centers across the United States.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 21 |
| Population | Clinical investigators at major academic psychedelic research centers across the United States |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key finding | Investigators view psychedelic medicine as distinct from existing treatments and identify three major translational challenges: uncertainty about psychotherapy's role, cost and scalability, and effects of hype and stigma. |
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Psychedelics such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and psilocybin are showing promising results in clinical trials for the treatment of mental health disorders, including post-traumatic stress disorder, addiction, and treatment-resistant depression. US Food and Drug Administration approval may be on the horizon. Yet, little is known about how these treatments will move from tightly controlled clinical trials to routine clinical care. PURPOSE: This study examines how psychedelic clinical investigators anticipate this transition and what challenges they expect. METHODS: We conducted semi-structured interviews with 21 clinical investigators based at major academic psychedelic research centers across the United States. We transcribed and analyzed these conversations using inductive and deductive coding to identify major themes. RESULTS: Investigators generally viewed psychedelic medicine as distinct from existing treatments, particularly in terms of drug effects, treatment models, and broader goals. They highlighted three major translational challenges: (i) uncertainty surrounding the role of psychotherapy, (ii) the cost of treatment and its scalability, and (iii) the effects of both hype and stigma on clinical uptake. CONCLUSION: Despite these challenges, most investigators anticipated that psychedelic medicine could eventually fit into routine clinical care and may even improve it.