Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: Potential Benefits and Challenges in Mental Health Treatment.

Psychedelics, derived from the Greek words "psyche" (soul) and "deloun" (revealing), are substances historically and currently considered "soul-revealing". Also termed hallucinogens due to their impact on sensory perception, they are further categorized into hallucinogens, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, and mescaline; entactogens or empathogens, such as 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA); and dissociatives, such as phencyclidine (PCP) and ketamine. The concept of using these substances to enhance psychotherapy emerged in the 1940s, leading to the first wave of psychedelic research, which yielded promising initial results. Following a period of restricted research, modern investigations began anew around 20 years ago. In this review, we analyze the last 10 years of research, exploring the potential of psychedelics in psychotherapy. Current evidence reveals that psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy remains an experimental approach. While preliminary studies suggest potential therapeutic benefits in treating various conditions, including depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders, a definitive assessment of efficacy and safety is hampered by the scarcity of large-scale, rigorous clinical trials. Psychedilics should rather be viewed as integral components of broader therapeutic frameworks than as standalone treatment. The unique mechanisms of psychedelics, notably their effect on neuroplasticity, hint at the potential to address treatment gaps in patients unresponsive to conventional methods. However, this potential requires validation through larger, more rigorously designed studies. Future research must prioritize high-quality, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials encompassing diverse populations to produce reliable, generalizable findings and ensure responsible clinical implementation. The aim of this article is to review the current status of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.