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Cited by 13Psychedelics and Drug StudiesReligion, Spirituality, and PsychologyTreatment of Major Depression

Psychedelic Psychiatry and the Consult-Liaison Psychiatrist: A Primer

Barnett, Brian S., Greer, George R.·2021·Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
DOI 10.1016/j.jaclp.2020.12.011
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Abstract

Background Psychedelic compounds such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) share a long and complex history with psychiatry. A half century ago, psychedelics were widely employed by psychiatrists in investigational and clinical settings, with studies demonstrating promising findings for their use in the treatment of mental illness and substance use disorders. However, concerns were also raised about their abuse potential and other adverse effects. Owing to these worries and psychedelics' association with the counterculture movement, psychedelics were largely outlawed in the United States in 1970, bringing research on their therapeutic potential to a halt. However, in recent years, a resurgence of psychedelic research has revealed compelling, though early, evidence for the use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in treating alcohol use disorder, nicotine use disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and depression.Objective Here we provide an overview of psychiatry's complicated relationship with psychedelics, while reviewing contemporary findings on psychedelic-assisted therapy, safety of psychedelic-assisted therapy, and risks of nonmedical use. We also make the case that psychiatry should consider preparing now for the possibility of Food and Drug Administration approval of psychedelic-assisted therapies in the near future. We conclude by discussing how growing societal interest in psychedelics could impact the work of consult-liaison psychiatrists, while also exploring how consult-liaison psychiatrists might contribute to future delivery of psychedelic treatments.Methods We reviewed literature on psychedelic-assisted therapies and adverse events resulting from nonmedical psychedelic use.Results We found a small, but rapidly growing literature indicating that psychedelic-assisted therapies may have treatment potential for mental illness and addiction. Our search also revealed a variety of rare adverse events stemming from nonmedical psychedelic use.Conclusions Despite past concerns about psychedelics, current data indicate psychedelic-assisted therapy may potentially reduce suffering owing to mental illness and addiction if administered thoughtfully and cautiously by trained professionals in medical settings.

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Authors
Barnett, B. S., & Greer, G. R.
Affiliations
  • Cleveland Clinic (US)
  • Heffter Research Institute (US)
Corresponding author
Barnett, Brian S.
ORCID
Barnett, Brian S.
Venue
Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2021-07
Volume
62
Issue
4
Pages
460-471
ISSN
2667-2960 (ISSN-L)
DOI
10.1016/j.jaclp.2020.12.011
OpenAlex
W3123670341
Cited by
13
References
73
Citations by year
2025: 3 · 2024: 1 · 2023: 3 · 2022: 4 · 2021: 2
FWCI
1.70
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Licence
Locations
  • Journal of the Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Heffter Research Institute
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
  • Health Sciences › Medicine › Pharmacology › Treatment of Major Depression
Keywords
psychedelic therapy, psychedelics, LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, alcoholism, nicotine use disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, adverse events, FDA approval, history of psychedelics, addiction treatment
MeSH terms
Hallucinogens, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide, Psilocybin, Psychiatry, United States, N-Methyl-3,4-methylenedioxyamphetamine

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