MbShea@PWP@English@UMCP

Abstract
Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A novel alternative for treatment-resistant mental disorders

After a 40-year gap in hallucinogenic drug research, the clinical potential of this powerful class of drug is being explored for the treatment of a variety of mental disorders. Recent clinical studies on healthy adults demonstrate that psilocybin and MDMA can be safely administered in a controlled environment and are not hazardous to physical health. Current clinical investigations of hallucinogens report promising therapeutic breakthroughs for three patient populations being terminally ill cancer patients with anxiety, persistent nicotine addicts, and victims of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). In Griffiths’ study (2014), 15 nicotine-dependent smokers received two separate doses of psilocybin along with 15-weeks of smoking cessation therapy. Biomarker tests and self-reports at a 6-month follow up demonstrate that 12 of the 15 participants (80%) were smoke-free. Grob’s study (2011) administered a moderate (14 mg/70 kg) dose of psilocybin to 12 participants with anxiety from a life-threatening illness. Positive improvements in mood and anxiety were reported based on psychological assessment questionnaires at a 6-month follow up. Lastly, Mithoefer’s study (2012) administered MDMA-assisted therapy to 19 patients with PTSD. The study demonstrated that, of the 16 who completed the long-term (74 month) follow up, 14 subjects (87%) maintained statistically and clinically significant improvements in PTSD symptoms. The mental illnesses at hand are multifactorial and debilitating disorders that can create tremendous amounts of suffering. The present literature on hallucinogenic research however, demonstrates improved psychological well-being as a result of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

WC: 236

Reader’s Profile:
I imagine a reader who is scientifically disinterested in the field of psychotherapy that incorporates the usage of controversial hallucinogenic substances.

Reader’s Response:
The reports made by these clinical studies are promising for a wide range of mental disorders. However, I am wondering what the psychological effects during the treatment are like, and whether these controversial substances can impose undesirable effects on the user. How serious of a problem are these unique mental disorders on the patient populations mentioned, and what is the next step in research for this class of drugs?

S, from the abstract here -- nicely done -- I now wonder if you need to develop a brief glossary of related terms: psychedelic, psychoactive, hallucinogenic....what terms do your researchers use? I think you might need to aim for some consistency and/or some metadiscourse on how you will use the terms.

Might I suggest the more neutral ethos of "psychoactive" -- ask me about this.