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Does Psychedelic Therapy Have a Transdiagnostic Action and Prophylactic Potential?
Rita Kočárová1,2,3, Jiří Horáček4,5, Robin Carhart-Harris6
1Department of Translational Neuroscience, National Institute of Mental Health, Klecany, Czechia.
Psychedelic therapy may offer a new approach to mental health by enhancing brain plasticity. This transdiagnostic treatment shows potential for improving resilience and long-term well-being across various psychiatric conditions.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Global mental health is a significant challenge with current treatments having limitations.
- A transdiagnostic approach, targeting shared mechanisms across disorders, is gaining traction.
- Psychedelic therapy shows promise for various psychiatric conditions, suggesting transdiagnostic efficacy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose that psychedelic therapy's core action is enhancing neuronal and mental plasticity.
- To suggest that increased plasticity via psychedelics, combined with psychotherapy, promotes adaptability and resilience.
- To present markers of plasticity and link them to a predictive processing model for psychedelic action.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing evidence on psychedelic therapy and mental plasticity.
- Identification of candidate neurological and psychological markers of plasticity.
- Integration with a predictive processing model of psychedelic action.
Main Results:
- Psychedelic therapy enhances neuronal and mental plasticity, facilitating therapeutic change.
- This enhanced plasticity, within a therapeutic context, supports adaptability and resilience.
- Candidate markers for plasticity and a predictive processing model are proposed.
Conclusions:
- Psychedelic-induced plasticity, coupled with psychotherapy, has prophylactic and transdiagnostic potential.
- This approach may offer a broad, positive impact on public mental health.
- Further research into plasticity markers and predictive models is warranted.

