Psychedelics in Psychiatry: New Treatment Paradigms or Addictive Treatment Strategies? A Narrative Review
<p id="p1">Scientific interest in psychedelics, documented since the nineteenth century, has recently resurged after decades of prohibition. Contemporary research highlights their therapeutic potential in treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders, alongside their heuristic value for studying brain n...
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| Autores principales: | , , |
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| Formato: | Capítulo de libro |
| Lenguaje: | inglés |
| Publicado: |
IntechOpen
2025
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| Materias: | |
| Acceso en línea: | https://www.intechopen.com/chapters/1237276 |
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| Sumario: | <p id="p1">Scientific interest in psychedelics, documented since the nineteenth century, has recently resurged after decades of prohibition. Contemporary research highlights their therapeutic potential in treatment-resistant psychiatric disorders, alongside their heuristic value for studying brain networks and consciousness. This chapter reviews the historical trajectory, traditional uses, mechanisms of action, and clinical evidence regarding key substances used in traditional or shamanic medicine (ayahuasca, mescaline, psilocybin, and ibogaine) and the psychedelic symbol of the hippy revolution, LSD. It further examines regulatory challenges and ethical concerns, including informed consent, cultural respect, and professional boundaries. Phenomenological debates on ego dissolution and the emergence of “non-subjective psychedelics” are discussed. Overall, psychedelics appear as “molecules of complexity,” integrating biological, psychological, and social dimensions, and suggesting a paradigm shift in psychiatry. Despite these promising developments, that in the chapter are underlined, the conclusive discussion emphasized that the data are still preliminary and not unequivocal. This caveat has to be strongly underlined: an excess of enthusiasm may expose treated people to more risks than benefits if research is not rigorously conducted.</p> |
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| ISBN: | 978-1-83635-487-1 |
| DOI: | 10.5772/intechopen.1014070 |