The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has concluded that psychedelic drugs such as MDMA and psilocybin show promise in treating certain mental health conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and severe depression. rice field.
In a recent report from the VA’s Evidence Synthesis Program (ESP), a review of more than 2,500 “potentially relevant articles” found 38 significant studies supporting the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. said.
The report determined that “MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD may improve symptoms and, in the short term, lead to remission in some individuals,” whereas psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy “may lead to depression.” It shows that there is some hope.”
However, the VA cautioned that the evidence is “very preliminary and future research needs to address some significant gaps.”
The report further shows that psilocybin therapy “may reduce binge drinking days and average daily alcohol consumption in adults with alcohol use disorders.”
Additionally, researchers in the department question the idea that the psychedelic ibogaine can treat opioid-related withdrawal symptoms.
“Important gaps to be addressed in future research include whether treatment effects vary by patient characteristics and disease severity, and whether benefits are sustained over time,” he said last month. A report posted online states: “The feasibility of implementing an intensive psychotherapy protocol in a real-world setting demonstrates how psychedelic treatment fits into the current standard of care and usual care pathways.” Another important gap, as well as determining whether
With regard to MDMA and psilocybin, which have been designated as “breakthrough therapies” by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the VA’s ESP endorsed findings regarding the substances’ therapeutic potential.
“MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD is the most widely studied intervention involving hallucinogens,” it said. “Similarly, psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for depression has shown some promise.” .”
“Psychedelics and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy assume that the deliberate use of psychedelics for a limited period of time can disrupt problematic thought patterns, facilitate psychotherapy, and potentially lead to behavioral change. It has been proposed as a new treatment for adults with mental health and substance use disorders based on.. Given the limitations of existing treatments, new treatment options are needed.”
The department emphasized that research into the medical value of psychedelics is “still in the early stages of development and there are many gaps in the evidence.”
“Other significant gaps in the evidence include whether psychedelic treatment protocols are reproducible and scalable in real-world settings, and whether the benefits of discontinuing mental health medications to undergo psychedelic treatment outweigh the risks.” In addition to addressing these gaps, future research areas include the study of veterans with combat-related trauma, especially those related to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and rural life. It includes studies of more diverse populations on sex.”
“Although promising, we have low confidence in these findings,” VA ESP researchers said in a report, previously noted by Psychedelic Alpha. and some important research questions remain unsolved.”
The report also includes the following recommendations for future research areas:
Detailed reporting of treatment history and disease severity at baseline, including in the veteran population, especially those with combat-related trauma.
Include more diverse populations, particularly with respect to race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and rurality, to better understand variability in treatment efficacy, safety, and acceptability.
An evaluation of the clinical implications of discontinuing mental health medications before undergoing psychedelic treatment and whether the benefits of doing so outweigh the potential harms.
Use of low-dose placebo rather than 0mg placebo to improve blind validity and improved reporting of blinded efficacy
The release of the report comes amid developments in local, state, and federal psychedelic policy.
Most recently, California senators reintroduced an amendment bill to legalize possession of certain psychedelics after a last-ditch attempt fell through at the 11th hour of the 2022 session.
An analysis published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association predicts that the majority of states will legalize psychedelics by 2037.
Meanwhile, members of Congress recently issued a joint explanatory statement on a mandatory passage defense bill that includes directing the military to investigate the possibility of “plant-based remedies” such as cannabis and certain hallucinogens for military personnel. Announced.
VA officials told Congress in September that while the government is monitoring research into the therapeutic potential of hallucinogens “very, very closely,” treatment containing the substance is one of the “standard treatments” for veterans. He said he hadn’t joined the department yet.
The DEA has separately announced final production quotas for 2023 for drugs used in research. The agency is also now seeking production of more psychedelic compounds, such as MDMA, thyrosine and 5-MeO-DMT, than the existing substantial increase originally proposed. Year.
The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) last month issued an informational notice providing guidance to researchers on the types of research they are interested in funding for the development of psychedelic drugs to treat certain mental health conditions. published and pointed out the limitations of animal-based research and research. Rules for exams involving children.
Meanwhile, the VA is amending its policy on medical marijuana use by veterans.
Hallucinogens like psilocybin are now legal in Colorado following governor’s declaration on voter-approved ballot measure
Photo credit: Dick Calvert.
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