Psychedelic Treatments for Psychiatric Disorders: A Systematic Review and Thematic Synthesis of Patient Experiences in Qualitative Studies

This review argues that qualitative research on psychedelic treatments can reveal unique features of different substances and uncover implications for treating specific psychiatric disorders that quantitative methods might miss. By examining subjective experiences, such studies can help tailor therapies to particular conditions and substances, offering insights into how psilocybin, LSD, or other compounds produce distinct psychological effects. The authors suggest that incorporating qualitative findings into clinical practice could enhance treatment precision and patient outcomes, highlighting the value of exploring personal narratives and emotional processes in psychedelic therapy.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This review demonstrates how qualitative research of psychedelic treatments can contribute to distinguishing specific features of specific substances, and carry otherwise undiscovered implications for the treatment of specific psychiatric disorders.