Current Perspectives on the Clinical Research and Medicalization of Psychedelic Drugs for Addiction Treatments: Safety, Efficacy, Limitations and Challenges

Anton Gomez-Escolar, Daniel Folch-Sanchez, Joanna Stefaniuk, Zoe Swithenbank, Andreia Nisa, Fleur Braddick, Nazish Idrees Chaudhary, Pim B van der Meer, Albert Batalla

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

Abstract

Mental health disorders and substance use disorders (SUDs) in particular, contribute greatly to the global burden of disease. Psychedelics, including entactogens and dissociative substances, are currently being explored for the treatment of SUDs, yet with less empirical clinical evidence than for other mental health disorders, such as depression or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). In this narrative review, we discuss the current clinical research evidence, therapeutic potential and safety of psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), ketamine, 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) and ibogaine, particularly in the context of the SUD treatment. Our aim was to provide a balanced overview of the current research and findings on potential benefits and harms of psychedelics in clinical settings for SUD treatment. We highlight the need for more clinical research in this particular treatment area and point out some limitations and challenges to be addressed in future research.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)771-789
Number of pages19
JournalCNS Drugs
Volume38
Issue number10
Early online date20 Jul 2024
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Oct 2024

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