Psychedelics in Mental Health: A Fresh Look

For years, psychedelic research was put on the backburner due to social and legal reasons. But recently, there's been a surge of interest in these compounds — both natural and synthetic — for treating mental health issues. These psychedelics work by activating specific serotonin receptors in the brain. In the last few years, several studies have shown promising results using classic psychedelics to treat conditions like major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, bipolar II, and anxiety-spectrum disorders. However, these studies have some limitations, such as short follow-ups and varying dosages. Most of these studies are based on a few initial trials, so more original research with diverse and larger groups, standardized methods, and long-term monitoring is needed. Also, the role of psychological support and the therapist-patient relationship in psychedelic therapy can't be ignored.