Psychedelic research in September highlights significant advances in psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly in their broad applicability, dose optimization, and real-world effectiveness. New data from studies involving methamphetamine use disorder, generalized anxiety disorder, and burnout among healthcare providers expands the clinical landscape, providing actionable insights for future practice.
Expanding Applications for Addiction Treatment
A new open-label pilot study explored psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAT) combined with motivational enhancement and acceptance and commitment therapy for methamphetamine use disorder. Conducted in an outpatient public treatment setting, the intervention proved both safe and feasible. Participants reported substantial reductions in methamphetamine use, from a median of 12 days per month to zero days at day 28, and only two days at day 90 post-treatment.
This research demonstrates psychedelics’ transdiagnostic potential, addressing underlying neurocognitive flexibility that cuts across various addictive disorders. Although the pilot nature and lack of a control group limit definitive conclusions, these promising results strongly support further investigation in randomized controlled trials.
LSD Shows Efficacy in Anxiety Management
A Phase IIb randomized controlled trial evaluated a single dose of MM120 (lysergide D-tartrate, LSD) in adults with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD). Results indicated significant dose-dependent reductions in anxiety symptoms, especially at doses of 100 µg and 200 µg. Notably, these benefits persisted for at least eight weeks after a single treatment session, representing a substantial improvement over traditional daily pharmacotherapies.
This trial adds to the growing body of robust Phase II evidence supporting psychedelic therapies, particularly LSD, which has been relatively under-researched compared to psilocybin. However, practical challenges, such as intense acute perceptual effects, suggest that clinical implementation will require careful consideration of therapeutic settings and patient preparation.
Real-world Effectiveness in Healthcare Settings
Finally, a randomized controlled trial examined psilocybin-assisted group psychotherapy combined with mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) for frontline healthcare providers experiencing COVID-19-related depression and burnout. The study reported significant improvements in depressive symptoms, burnout, and connectedness in the combined treatment group compared to MBSR alone.
Crucially, this study highlights the feasibility and potential of psychedelics in real-world healthcare environments. The group therapy format not only enhances scalability but also leverages social connectivity as a therapeutic tool. Although limited by sample size and demographic homogeneity, these findings advocate for larger, diverse trials to confirm broader applicability.
Clinical and Policy Implications of September’s Psychedelic Research
The findings from this month have substantial implications for both clinical practice and healthcare policy surrounding psychedelic medicine. The successful pilot study with psilocybin for methamphetamine addiction expands the scope of psychedelics as transdiagnostic tools, potentially transforming addiction treatment paradigms. Healthcare providers and policymakers should therefore consider broader clinical applications and the necessary frameworks to support these therapies.
The promising Phase II results for LSD in generalized anxiety disorder reinforce the viability of psychedelic treatments for prevalent mental health disorders. Given LSD’s relatively limited research compared to other psychedelics, these findings invite further investigation and consideration by regulators to facilitate clinical integration.
Moreover, the demonstrated real-world effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy for healthcare provider burnout underlines the potential of psychedelics to address occupational and societal mental health crises. This supports the development of targeted programs within healthcare systems and underscores the need for policy frameworks that facilitate safe, structured, and equitable access.
Delphi remains committed to translating this emerging scientific evidence into actionable strategies and policies, ensuring psychedelic therapies are introduced into mainstream healthcare in a safe, effective, and equitable manner.
