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Publication Details
AFRICAN RESEARCH NEXUS
SHINING A SPOTLIGHT ON AFRICAN RESEARCH
medicine
Medicinal psychedelics for mental health and addiction: Advancing research of an emerging paradigm
Australian and New Zealand Journal of Psychiatry, Volume 55, No. 12, Year 2021
Notification
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Description
The medical use of psychedelic substances (e.g. psilocybin, ayahuasca, lysergic acid diethylamide and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine) is attracting renewed interest, driven by a pressing need for research and development of novel therapies for psychiatric disorders, as well as promising results of contemporary studies. In this Viewpoint, we reflect upon the ‘Clinical Memorandum on Psychedelics’ recently released by the Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists and note subsequent developments including the application for down-scheduling of psilocybin and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine presently being considered by the Therapeutic Goods Administration and approvals for access via the Special Access Scheme. We suggest that this field is worthy of rigorous research to assess potential benefits, address safety parameters and clarify therapeutic mechanisms. To this end, we outline recent research findings, provide an overview of current knowledge relating to mechanisms of action and discuss salient aspects of the psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy treatment model. The sum of this research points towards medicinal psychedelics as a potential new class of psychiatric treatments when used within a medically supervised framework with integrated psychotherapeutic support. However, before widespread translation into clinical use can occur, appropriately designed and sufficiently powered trials are required to detect both potential positive and negative outcomes. Unique safety and regulatory challenges also need to be addressed. As for any new medical therapy, psychedelic research needs to be conducted in a rigorous manner, through the dispassionate lens of scientific enquiry. Carte blanche availability to practitioners, without specific protocols and appropriate training, would be potentially harmful to individuals and detrimental to the field. © The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists 2021.
Authors & Co-Authors
Sarris, Jerome
Australia, Penrith
Western Sydney University
Australia, Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Forbes, David
Australia, Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Davey, Christopher G.
Australia, Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Hoyer, Daniel
Australia, Melbourne
University of Melbourne
United States, San Diego
Scripps Research Institute
Murray, Greg W.
Australia, Hawthorn
Swinburne University of Technology
O'Donnell, Meaghan L.
Australia, Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Carter, Olivia L.
Australia, Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Siskind, Dan J.
Australia, Brisbane
The University of Queensland
Berk, Michael
Australia, Melbourne
University of Melbourne
Australia, Geelong
Deakin University
Australia, Melbourne
The Florey
Australia, Melbourne
Orygen Youth Health
Castle, David Jonathan
Canada, Toronto
Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Statistics
Citations: 26
Authors: 10
Affiliations: 15
Identifiers
Doi:
10.1177/0004867421998785
ISSN:
00048674
Research Areas
Health System And Policy
Mental Health
Substance Abuse