First of all, it’s important to understand the limitations of psychedelic therapy. Much more research needs to be done, says Grob. “Until very recently, it was unacceptable to even consider psychedelics as having treatment potential. There is still a lot to learn and a lot of work to do,” he says.
With that in mind, here are some potential health benefits.
May Alleviate Depression
Ketamine is usually used as an anesthetic, but research indicates that when administered at lower levels, it can help treat depression. One meta-analysis and review of 28 studies found that a single ketamine infusion decreased depressive symptoms within hours, though the effects of the dose tended to peter out within seven days. Current practice is for people to be given a short course of several treatments, followed by maintenance treatments, which may help prevent a depression relapse. Authors of the study highlight the need for more long-term research.
Ketamine is indicated for treatment-resistant depression, or someone who has “failed” conventional treatments, like SSRI medication, says Mailae Halstead, a therapist with Behavioral Wellness Clinic in Tolland, Connecticut, who specializes in ketamine-assisted therapy and psychedelic integration. “Ketamine [may] alleviate depressive symptoms so that patients might be able to do the things they need to do to keep depression at bay, such as a regular movement practice or cognitively reframe negative biases and self-talk,” she explains.
Ketamine also appears to be effective as a treatment method for people with a high risk of suicide, which often correlates with depression.
May Ease Trauma Responses in Those With PTSD
A phase 3 randomized controlled clinical trial of 91 participants published in May 2021 in Nature Medicine examined the effect of MDMA therapy on those who had severe PTSD. Participants were first given a form of psychotherapy that followed guidelines from the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS). They then received treatment with either MDMA or a placebo. After treatment, the MDMA group experienced a nearly twofold reduction in their score on a scale measuring PTSD symptoms.
Researchers found that MDMA potentially enhanced the beneficial effects of this specific form of therapy more than the placebo-therapy group, but the placebo group showed benefits too, meaning results are not conclusive. The FDA ultimately rejected the use of MDMA as a treatment for PTSD following these trials, due to safety concerns, and the notion that it was hard to tell if participants benefited more from the MDMA itself, or the accopanying psychotherapy.
May Be Effective in Treating Alcohol Use Disorder
Some research indicates that psilocybin (magic mushrooms) may be beneficial in the treatment of alcohol use disorder. A study featuring of 93 people found that when taken in combination with talk therapy, psilocybin may significantly decrease the percentage of heavy drinking days in the eight months after treatment.
May Assist in Eating Disorder Recovery
Research into the use of psychedelics as treatment for eating disorder treatment is at its very early stages. Brain imaging studies show that the same pathways activated by psilocybin are the very same as those affected in anorexia nervosa. Research suggests psilocybin may be able to spark changes in the connections in these brain networks to induce healing. This authors point out the critical nature of these findings, as up to half of people with anorexia never recover, and the illness greatly increases their risk of dying early.
In 2022, Xpira Pharmaceuticals announced that they were granted approval from the FDA for an “investigational new drug” designation for psilocybin in anorexia therapy, and they will begin a phase 2a clinical trial. This trial is specifically designed to assess how much psilocybin should be given. Until more is known, this remains an emerging treatment.
A more recent 2023 study also showed positive results, with authors stating that weight concerns and body shape concerns of participants decreased significantly overall. But they also note that the effects of the treatment varied greatly between participants.
May Play a Role in End-of-Life Care
The experience of death, or the idea of it, can be uncomfortable and distressing for some, and psychedelics may help soothe a patient’s end-of-life journey by alleviating anxiety and existential dread. According to a review published in 2021, some research shows that among people with potentially fatal illnesses, those who received high doses of LSD under supervision had less anxiety than those given an active placebo.
Research also shows that patients given a life-threatening cancer diagnosis and administered a high dose of LSD reported higher levels of well-being and less anxiety and depression than those who took a low dose.
Finally, there is also some preliminary research suggesting psilocybin could be supportive for patients with life-threatening or life-limiting illnesses distress.
May Improve General Well-Being
While some controlled trials evaluate psychedelics for specific healthcare uses, psychedelics may also promote general well-being, according to some research. In an online survey of 2,500 adults who have used psychedelics (legally or illegally) at some point in their lives, these drugs were associated with improved symptoms of depression and anxiety, and better emotional well-being.
Ayahuasca was specifically linked to enhanced emotional well-being compared with other hallucinogens, even among those who had used it just once. Participants claimed that psychedelics led to transformative experiences and insights that shifted their mindsets and attitudes, as well as leading to enhanced selflessness and a drive to help others. The authors point out that these substances appear to be most effective in infrequent doses to initiate change within one’s self, rather than taking them long term to level out one’s mood. Of course, not all outcomes seemed positive. One in eight people reported experiencing harm from psychedelics, and it’s important to note this is survey data based on self-reporting, rather than an actual experimental or clinical trial.
It is also worth noting that the American Psychiatric Association (APA) ethical recommendation is for psychedelic prescriptions (as they become approved by the FDA and DEA) to be limited to clear clinical and diagnosable conditions for which the psychedelic was studied in clinical trials, and not for general well-being or self-enhancement.
