Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions

This review (2022) explored the use of structured associated psychotherapeutic interventions in psychedelic clinical research to construct a picture of what models of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy are currently adopted in such research. Common principles, points of divergence and future directions for such interventions are also discussed.

Abstract

“Modern clinical research on psychedelics is generating interesting outcomes in a wide array of clinical conditions when psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy is delivered to appropriately screened participants and in controlled settings. Still, a number of patients relapse or are less responsive to such treatments. Individual and contextual factors (i.e., set and setting) seem to play a role in shaping the psychedelic experience and in determining clinical outcomes. These findings, coupled with data from the literature on the effectiveness of psychotherapy, frame the therapeutic context as a potential moderator of clinical efficacy, highlighting the need to investigate how to functionally employ environmental and relational factors. In this review, we performed a structured search through two databases (i.e., PubMed/Medline and Scopus) to identify records of clinical studies on psychedelics which used and described a structured associated psychotherapeutic intervention. The aim is to construct a picture of what models of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy are currently adopted in clinical research and to report on their clinical outcomes. Ad-hoc and adapted therapeutic methods were identified. Common principles, points of divergence and future directions are highlighted and discussed with special attention toward therapeutic stance, degree of directiveness and the potential suggestive effects of information provided to patients.”

Authors: Mauro Cavarra, Alessandra Falzone, Johannes G. Ramaekers, Kim P. C. Kuypers & Carmela Mento

Summary of Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions

Introduction

Psychedelic substances are currently being tested in clinical studies for the treatment of neuroses, alcoholism, end-of-life anxiety, and chronic pain. However, a portion of patients do not seem to benefit from psychedelic-assisted therapies or end up relapsing.

Several authors hypothesized that psychedelics may have therapeutic effects due to their neuroplasticity and environmental sensitivity. This means that psychedelics may open a window of flexibility for patients to modify rigid behaviors, thought patterns, and emotional reactions.

To access this content, you must purchase one of the following memberships: Sprout Membership, Pro Membership, Pro Membership Unlimited, Business Membership or Business Membership Unlimited. The membership will give you access to exclusive data, including summaries of psychedelic research papers, extended company info, and our member-only visualisations. Save yourself multiple hours each week by accessing Blossom’s resource library.