Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Emerging Treatments in Mental Health Disorders

Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive substances that were studied extensively between 1943 and 1970 as potential therapies for treating a host of mental health disorders, including addiction. Despite promising early results, U.S. psychedelic research was halted in the early 1970s with the enactment of the Controlled Substances Act. As the field of psychedelic-assisted therapy develops, nurses can decide the role they will play in the continuing clinical and scholarly research of these substances, which may soon be used in controlled settings to treat some of the most widespread mental health disorders. To prepare for this task, this article proposes that nurses * become familiar with the history, relevant language, and scientific findings related to the field of psychedelic research. * learn about existing psychedelic-assisted therapy and research resources. * examine their thoughts, judgments, and opinions about therapeutic psychedelic use. * consider the potential role of nursing in psychedelic-assisted therapies going forward.