Keywords

psychedelics, addiction, mental illness, end-of-life care

Abstract

As more research is done, psychedelics are increasingly recognized as a viable option for addiction treatment, mental health issues, and end-of-life care. Studies have hit roadblocks in the past due to the stigma surrounding psychedelics that formed in the 1960s. Since then, regulations have loosened, and psychedelic therapy has become a possible alternative for those who do not find their current treatments effective (Al-Harbi, 2012, as cited in Gardner, 2019; Gardner, 2019). Psychedelics can help individuals abstain from addictions (Sharma et al., 2023). Additionally, psychedelics can be a viable treatment for mental illnesses (Nygart et al., 2022) and can be useful for end of life care when it comes to easing fears and anxiety (Beaussant et al., 2021). Thus, greater empirical emphasis should be placed on understanding their therapeutic benefits because psychoactive substances that produce changes in perception, mood, and cognitive processes (i.e., hallucinations) can effectively combat addiction, may be safely implemented in mental health treatment plans, and often provide comfort to people nearing the end of life.

Document Type

Peer-Reviewed Article

Publication Date

2024-04-17

Language

English

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

Psychology

University Standing at Time of Publication

Junior

Course

PSYCH 307

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Psychology Commons

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