The therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs: Legal, policy, and neuroscientific perspectives.

A resurgence of interest in psychedelic drugs for therapeutic use is underway, with anecdotal and evidence-based reports suggesting they may treat depression, anxiety, PTSD, and substance abuse. However, available data are limited and their use remains controversial. This paper reports on talks by eighteen experts at a symposium covering safety and effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapies, brain systems involved, ethical issues, access pathways, regulation, and patenting. The symposium revealed the potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric disorders and the scientific, legal, and policy challenges to realizing that potential.

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Abstract

After many years of stigma and neglect, there is a resurgence of interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs. Anecdotal and evidence-based reports indicate psychedelics as a possible treatment for depression, anxiety, PTSD, substance abuse, and other disorders resistant to conventional medical interventions. The available data, however, are limited and the use of psychedelic substances in therapy remains controversial. This paper presents a collection of reports based on the talks of eighteen renowned experts in science, policy, and law who spoke at a recent symposium organized by American University's Center for Neuroscience and Behavior titled "The Therapeutic Uses of Psychedelic Drugs: Legal, Policy, and Neuroscientific Perspectives." These speakers presented their ideas and perspectives concerning (a) the safety and effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapies; (b) the brain systems on which psychedelic drugs act; (c) ethical issues for both research and clinical settings; (d) pathways to increasing access to psychedelics for medical and nonmedical purposes; (e) federal and state regulation of psychedelic drugs for research, therapy, and nonmedical uses; and (f) procedures and requirements for psychedelic drug patents and commercialization. In considering these topics, each speaker strove to make their views accessible to diverse audiences of professionals outside of their own disciplines. This paper aims to faithfully convey the substance of each talk, while also providing additional context and updates relevant to the presentations. The symposium revealed the potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric and behavioral disorders and the scientific, legal, and policy challenges that must be met to realize this potential.