Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector

Psychedelic substances have recently emerged as a promising method for treating mental health conditions, despite a history of stigmatization and restriction in use. The present review synthesizes existing literature on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA in a...

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Main Authors: Kerem Kemal Soylemez, Emma Marie de Boo, Joanne Lusher
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2025-04-01
Series:Psychoactives
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Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2813-1851/4/2/11
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author Kerem Kemal Soylemez
Emma Marie de Boo
Joanne Lusher
author_facet Kerem Kemal Soylemez
Emma Marie de Boo
Joanne Lusher
author_sort Kerem Kemal Soylemez
collection DOAJ
description Psychedelic substances have recently emerged as a promising method for treating mental health conditions, despite a history of stigmatization and restriction in use. The present review synthesizes existing literature on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA in addressing specific mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction. On reviewing the existing literature, it became apparent that when administered in controlled settings with psychological support, psychedelics can induce profound psychological insights, leading to long-lasting and positive changes in mood, cognition, and behaviour. This review discusses the ethical, social, and regulatory challenges linked to using psychedelics within the mental health sector across different countries, and how these might influence societal beliefs towards their efficacy and use. Further research would be beneficial for eliciting a deeper understanding of the use of psychedelics in the field of mental health, leading to the development of standardized administration protocols and a thorough appreciation of societal implications and long-term outcomes. This review discusses the potential for psychedelics to revolutionize mental health treatment while underlining the urgent need for rigorous scientific inquiry on this topic and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.
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spelling doaj-art-bf23ae0e8c1045248db75b2ba6ec83a32025-08-20T02:21:53ZengMDPI AGPsychoactives2813-18512025-04-01421110.3390/psychoactives4020011Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health SectorKerem Kemal Soylemez0Emma Marie de Boo1Joanne Lusher2Department of Psychology, Regent’s University London, London NW1 4NS, UKDepartment of Psychology, Regent’s University London, London NW1 4NS, UKDepartment of Psychology, Regent’s University London, London NW1 4NS, UKPsychedelic substances have recently emerged as a promising method for treating mental health conditions, despite a history of stigmatization and restriction in use. The present review synthesizes existing literature on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA in addressing specific mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and addiction. On reviewing the existing literature, it became apparent that when administered in controlled settings with psychological support, psychedelics can induce profound psychological insights, leading to long-lasting and positive changes in mood, cognition, and behaviour. This review discusses the ethical, social, and regulatory challenges linked to using psychedelics within the mental health sector across different countries, and how these might influence societal beliefs towards their efficacy and use. Further research would be beneficial for eliciting a deeper understanding of the use of psychedelics in the field of mental health, leading to the development of standardized administration protocols and a thorough appreciation of societal implications and long-term outcomes. This review discusses the potential for psychedelics to revolutionize mental health treatment while underlining the urgent need for rigorous scientific inquiry on this topic and the ethical considerations surrounding the use of psychedelics for therapeutic purposes.https://www.mdpi.com/2813-1851/4/2/11psychedelicsstigmatizationmental healthreview
spellingShingle Kerem Kemal Soylemez
Emma Marie de Boo
Joanne Lusher
Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector
Psychoactives
psychedelics
stigmatization
mental health
review
title Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector
title_full Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector
title_fullStr Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector
title_full_unstemmed Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector
title_short Regulatory Challenges of Integrating Psychedelics into Mental Health Sector
title_sort regulatory challenges of integrating psychedelics into mental health sector
topic psychedelics
stigmatization
mental health
review
url https://www.mdpi.com/2813-1851/4/2/11
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