New insights into the clinical and nonclinical effects of psychedelic substances: An integrative review.
This review (2022) explores the potential of psychedelics in treating mental health disorders, their short- and long-term effects on recreational users, and the neurological and cognitive processes responsible for their effects using the most up to date research. The positive findings of psilocybin for depression (MDD) and anxiety are highlighted. The mystical experience (MEQ) also plays a large role, but individual differences (for whom does it work) are still not well examined.
Abstract
After decades of stagnation, research on psychedelic substances (such as lysergic acid diethylamide [LSD], psilocybin, or N,N-dimethyltryptamine [DMT]) has experienced a renaissance over the last 10 years, with various major research programs being conducted across Europe and the United States. This research primarily investigates the potential of psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders, their short- and long-term effects on recreational users, and the neurological and cognitive processes responsible for their effects. The present review provides a concise summary of the most recent insights gained from this research. We briefly outline the history of psychedelic research, the objective and subjective effects caused by these substances, the prevalence and socio-psychological correlates of their use, as well as their potential for harm. Subsequently, we review empirical research on the beneficial effects of psychedelics in clinical samples, focusing on their efficacy in the treatment of major depression, anxiety, and substance use disorders, and discuss research on the proposed neural and cognitive mechanisms behind these effects. We then review research on their effects on healthy subjects, focusing on psychological well-being as well as changes in personality, nature-relatedness, and creativity. Finally, we review empirical evidence regarding the long-term effects of single experiences with psychedelics and conclude with a summary and outlook.
Research Summary of 'New insights into the clinical and nonclinical effects of psychedelic substances: An integrative review.'
Introduction
Forstmann and Sagioglou situate their integrative review against a historical backdrop in which classic serotonergic psychedelics were effectively removed from mainstream research after 1971 scheduling, creating decades of limited scientific enquiry. They note a research renaissance over the last two decades, with multiple programmes in Europe and the United States producing high-impact work on the subjective, neural, clinical and non-clinical effects of substances such as LSD, psilocybin and DMT. The authors emphasise that contemporary work examines both therapeutic potential and broader psychosocial consequences of psychedelic use, while also addressing safety and mechanisms. The review sets out to provide a concise synthesis of recent empirical findings across several domains: characteristics of classic psychedelics and their users; clinical efficacy for major depression, anxiety (including end-of-life anxiety), and substance use disorders; proposed neural and cognitive mechanisms; effects in healthy populations (wellbeing, personality, nature relatedness, creativity); and evidence for longer-term outcomes. The authors aim to highlight promising results as well as persistent shortcomings in the literature to inform future research and policy discussion.
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Forstmann, M., & Sagioglou, C. (2022). New insights into the clinical and nonclinical effects of psychedelic substances: An integrative review.. European Psychologist, 27(4), 291-301. https://doi.org/10.1027/1016-9040/a000447
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