Ethical Issues and Recommendations in Psychedelic Research and Practice: A Scoping Review

Area of Science:

• Psychiatry
• Neuroscience
• Bioethics

Background:

• The resurgence of psychedelic research and therapy introduces complex ethical considerations.
• A lack of consensus exists among stakeholders regarding the management of these ethical challenges.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically identify and analyze the ethical issues present in psychedelic research and clinical practice.
• To highlight areas requiring further attention and development in the field.

Main Methods:

• A comprehensive scoping review of fifty-one relevant articles was conducted.
• Content analysis was employed to categorize identified ethical concerns.
• A consultation workshop was held to gather expert insights on neglected ethical issues.

Main Results:

• Five primary ethical concerns emerged from the literature: standards of practice, equity, integrity, cultural appropriation, and epistemic justice.
• Key neglected issues included post-trial care, consensus on care models and practitioner competencies, and translation of research ethics into practice.

Conclusions:

• Clear competency frameworks and guidelines for Indigenous recognition are needed.
• Enhanced consultation with diverse populations and robust governance for psychedelic prescribing are recommended.
• Addressing post-trial care and standardizing models of care are crucial for ethical psychedelic practice.