Editorial Emerging therapeutic opportunities for psychedelic and related drugs
Susan Wonnacott, Gary J. Stephens, T. Sharp
April 1, 2026 DOI: 10.22541/au.177505774.48075799/v1 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractGrowing interest in psychedelic and related drugs as potential therapies for a wide range of difficult-to-treat conditions, including those beyond neuropsychiatric disorders, has motivated a themed collection of reviews and original articles. The collection covers the mechanistic basis of how these drugs act, the current status of preclinical research and progress in clinical trials, and insight into regulatory processes that determine clinical approval. This editorial introduces these aspects, provides an overview of current controversies and challenges in the field, and highlights the exciting potential these drugs offer.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Editorial |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Alternative medicine Medline Broad spectrum Investigational drugs Drug approval |
| Key finding | Psychedelic and related drugs show potential as therapies for a wide spectrum of difficult-to-treat conditions, with ongoing research into mechanisms, preclinical studies, clinical trials, and regulatory pathways. |
Abstract
Increasing interest in psychedelic and related drugs as potential therapies for a wide spectrum of difficult to treat conditions that extend beyond neuropsychiatric disorders provided the impetus for this Themed Issue. This collection of reviews and original articles includes the mechanistic basis of how these drugs act, the current status of preclinical research and progress in clinical trials, and insight into the regulatory processes that determine clinical approval. In this Editorial we introduce these aspects and provide an overview of current controversies and challenges in the field, as well as highlighting the exciting potential that these drugs offer.