American Journal of Psychiatry Audio

Executive Editor Michael Roy speaks with Collin Reiff, M.D., and William McDonald, M.D., about their evidence-based summary of the literature on the clinical application of psychedelic drugs in psychiatric disorders.

• How hallucinogens were first used, and some of the key individuals involved in the development of these drugs for medical use [2:23]
• What led to the worry about use of these compounds in the 1960s, and what actions did U.S. policymakers take at the time? [5:35]
• How have opinions changed from the 1960s to the present? [7:01]
• How the authors conducted their research [8:23]
• How the authors determined which drugs to examine [9:38]
• What findings stood out to the authors? [10:28]
• Relationships between the psychological effects and the neurobiology of psychedelic compounds [12:59]
• How ketamine came to be used in clinical care, and what studies have shown about its safety and effectiveness [14:18]
• An outline of psycholytic therapy and psychedelic therapy [17:16]
• What is the potential for these kinds of drugs to be misused? [19:24]
• Conclusions that researchers, clinicians, and other mental health professionals should take away [21:15]
• Recommendations for further research in this area [22:20]

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Image: detail from a 1978 painting by Flournoy Holmes, "Fire Being" (acrylic, 36 in x 42 in). Image provided courtesy of the artist. For this and other works, visit flournoyholmes.com.