Psychedelics: Where we are now, why we got here, what we must do

Area of Science:

• Neuropharmacology
• Psychiatry
• Brain Science

Background:

• Historical context of psychedelic drug research, including the discovery of lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in the 1940s.
• Stigmatization and restrictive regulatory controls (e.g., US Schedule I in 1970) that impeded research.
• Resurgence of research into psychedelic mechanisms of action and clinical applications since the 1990s.

Purpose of the Study:

• To introduce a special issue on psychedelic research.
• To provide a historical perspective on psychedelic drug research and its therapeutic potential.
• To highlight the emergence of psychedelics as potential breakthrough therapies for brain-related disorders.

Main Methods:

• Historical review of psychedelic drug research.
• Analysis of regulatory controls impacting psychedelic research.
• Synthesis of current research findings on psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

Main Results:

• Psychedelic drug research faced significant regulatory hurdles following societal abuse in the 1960s.
• Despite limitations, research into brain mechanisms and clinical applications continued from the 1990s.
• Accumulated evidence suggests psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy may be a breakthrough treatment for refractory mental illnesses.

Conclusions:

• Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for treating depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
• This research advances understanding of brain function and the impact of brain diseases.
• Further efforts are needed to address the pervasive nature of mental and brain-related diseases resistant to current therapies.