As I prepare for my upcoming presentation at the Biomedical and Health Sciences Conference (which is tomorrow!), I find myself reflecting on the journey that led to this moment.

Collaborating with Moa Nordin, Per Carlbring, and Jakob Håkansson, we embarked on a study to explore the complexities of psilocybin-assisted psychological treatment. Our findings have been both enlightening and cautionary, revealing the double-edged nature of this emerging therapy.

The Double-Edged Sword of Psilocybin Therapy

In our research, we identified numerous potential negative effects associated with psilocybin-assisted therapy. Through conversations with therapists and a thorough thematic analysis, we uncovered a critical insight: the importance of not rushing into psilocybin as a definitive cure for mental disorders. This is not a panacea, and the risks involved are significant.

One particularly concerning finding was that clients seeking psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression might not only continue to experience depression but could also develop anxiety. This underscores the fundamental principle of “do no harm”. While all therapies carry some risk, the heightened risk associated with psilocybin-assisted therapy is, in my view, too substantial to overlook.

The Current Landscape and Future Directions

As we stand on the brink of potentially monumental advances in psychedelic research, it’s crucial to exercise caution. For instance, although psychedelics recently gained legal status in Australia, we must wait for more conclusive evidence before embracing these treatments widely.

Not too long ago, I appeared on a podcast to discuss these things. I’ve linked to it before and I’ll link to it again:

Another great resource is Eiko Fried’s recent dissemination of the state of psychedelic research (linked below).

Psilocybin is often described as a drug in search of a disorder to treat. It has been tested for various conditions, including depression, OCD, and substance use disorders, yet we lack definitive evidence of its effectiveness. It may work for some individuals, but predicting who will benefit remains elusive.

If you’re a therapist considering recommending psilocybin-assisted therapy, I urge you to pause. The ethical implications are profound, and we must prioritize research before publicly discussing potential benefits. Let alone recommending these treatments.

Careful discourse is thus pivotal as we navigate the complex task of disseminating the state of psychedelic-assisted therapy evidence. This is especially true for academics, therapists, and mental health professionals who must adhere to rigorous ethical guidelines.

The Need for Rigorous Research

Currently, I am in Iceland, where providing non-evidence-based treatment is prohibited by ethical guidelines for psychologists. Psilocybin-assisted therapy falls into this category, as proper controlled studies and randomized controlled trials have not been conducted. The findings from our study highlight the urgent need for more research.

While the potential of psilocybin-assisted therapy is intriguing, we must proceed with caution. The insights from our study serve as a reminder of the importance of thorough research and ethical considerations. As we continue to explore this promising yet complex field, let us not throw caution to the wind.

The Conference!

I’m excited to speak at the conference tomorrow and hope to bring greater awareness to the lack of quality evidence for psychedelic-assisted therapy… at least at the moment.

I’ll be speaking in Hall A at the Hilton Hotel in the psychology time slot between 13:50 and 14:50. If you’re in Iceland, I hope to see you there!

The post Join the Conference Tomorrow! Insights on Psilocybin Therapy first appeared on Jón Ingi Hlynsson.