Psychedelics, such as psilocybin, DMT, mescaline, and LSD, have garnered significant attention for their potential to improve mental health. These substances induce profound and often transformative subjective experiences, ranging from altered perception and cognition to intense emotional states. While mystical experiences have often been the focus, a new review published in *Nature Reviews Psychology* emphasizes that the therapeutic potential of psychedelics goes far beyond these mystical states.
Research has shown promising results for psychedelics in treating mood and substance use disorders. Some studies suggest that these substances can provide lasting relief from these conditions. The acute subjective effects experienced during a psychedelic session, including emotional breakthroughs, heightened affect, and a sense of connectedness, are believed to be key contributors to these therapeutic outcomes. However, the review acknowledges that these benefits are not universal. Psychedelics can also induce challenging psychological states, such as anxiety, existential struggles, and depersonalization, which may necessitate therapeutic intervention.
The authors of the review, David B. Yaden, Sean P. Goldy, Brandon Weiss, and Roland R. Griffiths, highlight the critical importance of understanding these acute effects within a clinical context. They argue that these effects hold the key to both the benefits and risks associated with psychedelic therapy. Notably, while some research suggests that therapeutic benefits might not require these acute subjective experiences, other studies emphasize their crucial role in achieving lasting positive outcomes.
The review also critically examines the methods used to measure the acute subjective effects of psychedelics, highlighting inconsistencies and limitations that hinder research and clinical practice. Existing psychometric tools, such as the Mystical Experience Questionnaire and the 5-Dimensional Altered States of Consciousness scale, have been widely used to assess these effects. However, the authors argue that these tools often fail to capture the full range of experiences and may not adequately predict long-term therapeutic outcomes.
To advance the field, the review calls for the development of new, more comprehensive measures that can accurately assess the diverse acute effects of psychedelics. This includes incorporating insights from psychological science and creating tools that are validated through rigorous empirical testing.
The findings of this review have significant implications for the future of psychedelic research and therapy. By moving beyond a narrow focus on mystical experiences, researchers can develop a more nuanced understanding of how psychedelics affect the mind and contribute to mental health. This, in turn, can lead to the development of more effective therapeutic protocols that maximize the benefits of these substances while minimizing their risks. As public and scientific interest in psychedelics continues to grow, the need for data-driven, empirically validated measures becomes increasingly critical. The review offers actionable recommendations for researchers and clinicians, including best practices for measuring acute subjective effects and suggestions for developing the next generation of psychometric tools.
