Adverse Events Should Not Be Surprising in Psychedelic Research

Research has demonstrated both risks and benefits to using psychedelics as a therapeutic intervention for a variety of mental health conditions. In recent years, the public discourse around psychedelic treatments has been largely positive and focused on benefits more than risks. We believe the field would benefit from more balanced attention to the risks as well as benefits of psychedelics within the scientific community and broader public. Coverage of psychedelic science has swung between a pendulum of extremes, from fearmongering in past decades to effusive optimism today. Public discourse about the risks and benefits of psychedelics can and should instead be grounded in the growing evidence from clinical trials as well as participant reports. While most adverse events related to pyschedelics are mild, some have been severe and serious, and public education about the existence and nature of those risks is necessary. We predict that as more studies are conducted and eligibility criteria are relaxed to improve access, the incidence and severity of adverse events will increase. While no medical intervention is risk-free, it will be increasingly important to quantify and effectively communicate the risk/benefit profile of psychedelics.