Are Psychedelics Overrated?

"Psychedelics appear to offer a new frontier in psychotherapeutic treatment. Clients of all ages and stages now make inquiries into the use of psilocybin, with the hopes that it may be the missing piece in their treatment of trauma, anxiety, or depression. Do these newly and often widely available drugs offer hope for the chronically depressed, or are they merely a new wellness fad, capitalizing on our ongoing search for the new and novel?"

"He noted that while clinical research between the years 2012 and 2022 tended to report a positive bias in favour of psychedelics, this has shifted in years after 2024. Researchers and clinicians, he argues, are more cautious of late around the efficacy of psychedelics, a fact that he links in part to the growing interest in large-scale capital investment in "magic mushroom" production and distribution."

"Referencing their recent publication on the topic from a Jungian lens, Stein argues that long-term studies of ayahuasca, for example, have not significantly impacted those with severe anxiety. Part of this, he continues, is due to the relatively unpredictable results of psychedelics when compared with other pharmaceuticals. In some cases, psychedelics, like cannabis, can contribute to cases of schizophrenia and psychosis. This is especially the case if a client does not have strong ego development or secure attachment systems."

Psychedelics are attracting widespread interest as potential psychotherapeutic tools for trauma, anxiety, and depression across age groups. Early clinical studies (2012–2022) tended to show a positive bias, but post-2024 findings reflect increased caution, partly linked to commercialization of mushroom production. Long-term ayahuasca studies have not shown clear benefits for severe anxiety. Psychedelics produce more unpredictable outcomes than many pharmaceuticals and can precipitate psychosis or schizophrenia in vulnerable individuals. Strong ego strength and secure attachment are recommended prerequisites for such interventions. Enhanced informed consent about risks and uncertainties is advised for prospective clients.

Read at Psychology Today