PSYCHEDELICS IN PSYCHIATRY — BIG HYPE, SMALL TRIALS, REAL RISKS
Psychedelic-assisted therapies, including psilocybin- and MDMA-based interventions, demonstrate promising but preliminary efficacy for certain psychiatric conditions, particularly treatment-resistant depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. However, the current evidence base is derived predominantly from small, highly controlled clinical trials with carefully selected participants, intensive therapeutic support, and methodological limitations (including challenges with blinding and expectancy effects).
Until such evidence is established, first-line treatment should remain evidence-based pharmacotherapy and psychotherapy with well-characterized efficacy and safety profiles.
