Psychedelic and Dissociative Drugs National Institute on Drug Abuse NIDA

As mentioned, most studies recruited relatively small samples which prevents applicability in other research settings. Psilocybin was designated a breakthrough therapy designation by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 2018, 2019, and 2024 owing to its potency for monotherapy or combination treatment.107 Several types of psilocybin‐assisted therapies are currently in clinical trials. Psilocybin studies have found that 71% of individuals with major depressive disorder who received two doses of psilocybin responded to treatment, and half entered remission.

The Guided Journey: How Medical Psychedelics Transform Therapy

Mental disorders are a representative type of brain disorder, including anxiety, major depressive depression (MDD), and autism spectrum disorder (ASD), that are caused by multiple etiologies, including genetic heterogeneity, epigenetic dysregulation, and aberrant morphological and biochemical conditions. Psychedelic drugs such as psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) have been renewed as fascinating treatment options and have gradually demonstrated potential therapeutic effects in mental disorders. However, the multifaceted conditions of psychiatric disorders resulting from individuality, complex genetic interplay, and intricate neural circuits impact the systemic pharmacology of psychedelics, which disturbs the integration of mechanisms that may result in dissimilar medicinal efficiency. The precise prescription of psychedelic drugs remains unclear, and advanced approaches are needed to optimize drug development.

Uses of Psychedelic Therapy To Treat Mental Health Conditions

While some debate remains on how to describe these drugs and how specific drugs are classified, researchers generally classify them according to how they work in the brain. To overcome the current limitations in using and investigating psychedelics, researchers have attempted to visualize the brain or retrospectively study mental disorders before and after therapy. In this review, we concisely underline representative psychedelics and the current viewpoints of advanced research in drug discovery. They must assess the role of set and setting and the importance of the psychedelic or mystical experience that may accompany use of the drugs. Researchers are studying psilocybin as a potential therapeutic for treating alcohol use disorder and for quitting smoking.5,6 NIDA is also funding trials investigating ketamine-assisted therapy for cocaine and methamphetamine addiction. Another trial is investigating whether administering subanesthetic doses of ketamine during emergency care might help reduce drug use and suicide risk among people with opioid use disorder.

What Are Psychedelic Drugs?

However, the following are some everyday events often seen during psychedelic treatment therapies. Robert C. Meisner, MD, shares how ketamine and esketamine are used in evidence-based interventions to help people who struggle with depression. The duration of psychedelic effects varies depending on the substance and how much the patient ingests. For instance, the effects of magic mushrooms can last between four and six hours. Dimethyltryptamine (DMT) is a naturally occurring compound in certain plants and animals and is also available in synthetic form.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)

• The effects of ketamine have been described as immediate, with patients reporting reduced depression symptoms in under 24 hours after the initial dose.
• These approaches may provide insight into pharmacological mechanisms and interindividual factors to enhance drug discovery and development for advanced precision medicine.
• Here, a very recent view of the respective psychedelics may provide insight for further research accompanied by experiments in rodent models (Table 1) and clinical trials in patients (Table 2) with mental disorders (Figure 2).
• Researchers are also investigating other drugs sometimes classified as psychedelic and dissociative drugs, such as MDMA, and the way they work in the brain.
• Psychedelics affect specific receptors that lead to an increase in serotonin levels.
• This was a hostile time for drug reform, just over a decade since US president Ronald Reagan had expanded the war on drugs.

Here, a very recent view of the respective psychedelics may provide insight for further research psychedelic and dissociative drugs accompanied by experiments in rodent models (Table 1) and clinical trials in patients (Table 2) with mental disorders (Figure 2). Alongside CYB003, several other psychedelic compounds are advancing toward late-stage clinical development for mental health disorders (Table 1). In June 2025, Compass Pathways announced that COMP360, a proprietary psilocybin formulation, demonstrated positive data in its double-blinded phase 3 trials for treatment-resistant depression. In one trial, a single dose of 25 mg significantly reduced symptom severity compared with placebo. A second phase 3 trial is now exploring whether this response is dose dependent, testing doses of 25 mg, 10 mg and 1 mg.

How do psychedelic and dissociative drugs affect pregnancy?

• Colorado voters approved Proposition 122 in November 2022, which removed criminal penalties for the cultivation, possession, and consumption of psychedelic mushrooms for people 21 years of age and older5.
• Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) may also be useful alongside psychedelics.
• During phase studies, psychedelic therapy has shown promise in the treatment of various mental health conditions.
• The goal of this type of care is to help individuals through the mental health toll that can come with facing death.

An option gaining more attention in recent years is the use of psychedelics in treatment. Since most therapies are still in the clinical trial phase, individuals must fully understand the potential risks and benefits of psychedelic substances. Patients must sign an informed consent document as part of their process before receiving any dissociative medication. During the session, a trained mental health professional reviews the individual’s mental health history and gauges their current state of mind. The consultation helps determine whether psychedelic therapy is an appropriate treatment for the individual.

Participants in the study also stated they had very few adverse effects while using psychedelics as part of their treatment for PTSD. As research continues to unveil the significant effects these substances can have on the human mind, therapists and patients alike are discovering the transformative potential of psychedelics to heal trauma, alleviate depression, and provide profound personal insights. In the quiet, dimly lit room, a patient sits comfortably, surrounded by soft music and gentle voices guiding them through a journey of self-discovery. This isn’t a scene from a science fiction novel but a groundbreaking approach to mental health treatment known as psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Addiction to other substances, such as opioids, cocaine, or methamphetamine, can also be considered for psychedelic therapy. Similar to alcohol addiction recovery, the goal of treatment is to break addictive patterns and support long-term recovery goals. Significant reductions in PTSD symptoms were reported in a study published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal.

You might also find it helpful to learn about the signs of addiction and potential treatments for managing abuse to combat the effects. If a person illegally obtains psychedelics for use as a mental health treatment, there’s a chance that the drugs can be contaminated with other substances. Without any regulations, individuals may end up ingesting dangerous drugs, such as methamphetamine and fentanyl. Research suggests that LSD-guided therapy can be effective in treating various mental health conditions, including anxiety, depression, and addiction. Eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa, are complicated mental health conditions.

Research has demonstrated that a single dose of psilocybin can lead to significant and long-lasting reductions in anxiety and improved quality of life. Psychedelic-assisted therapy has also been explored as a supportive tool for individuals facing end-of-life care. The goal of this type of care is to help individuals through the mental health toll that can come with facing death. Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic condition and those diagnosed with alcohol addiction often cannot stop drinking despite adverse consequences. Traditional treatments, like rehabilitation programs, are effective for some individuals.

As a result, patients may experience excessive sweating or flushing sensations. Several states and cities are pushing to legalize psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. California, New Jersey, and Connecticut have introduced bills to legalize psilocybin for medical or recreational use. LSD therapy sessions are typically conducted under the guidance of trained therapists, allowing patients to explore their emotions, thoughts, and memories in a potentially transformative way.

A phase 2b randomized, placebo-controlled, dose-finding clinical trial found that the highest dose tested (100 µg) of MM-120 (a form of LSD) demonstrated a 7.6-point improvement on the Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale compared with placebo. Trial patients frequently report profound experiences of interconnectedness and ego dissolution during treatment, Drysdale reveals, which research suggests are linked with improved therapeutic outcomes. “During their psychedelic experience, patients often relive and address underlying trauma or causes of their depression,” Drysdale adds. Over a third of patients with depression have failed to respond to at least four existing antidepressants, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).

A pharmacist’s job entails knowing the difference and helping patients understand the risks. This involves careful screening for a patient’s history of substance misuse and providing clear guidance on each substance’s unique safety profile. This dissociative drug is not controlled under the Federal Controlled Substances Act but is banned or regulated in several states. Prolonged use of DXM can lead to abuse and addiction and result in withdrawal symptoms if the user cannot continue using the drug. Ketamine is a Schedule III controlled substance in the United States, indicating a potential for moderate to low physical dependence or high psychological dependence.