Few topics in psychiatry over the past few years have generated as much curiosity and excitement among clinicians and laypeople as the use of psychedelics. For mental health professionals, psychedelics offer an opportunity to expand existing treatment options and to explore new ones that have the potential to change neuroplasticity and neuroconnectivity. For patients, they offer the hope of relief from illnesses that have not responded adequately to traditional treatments. When approaching the use of psychedelics in treatment, it is important to separate science from sensationalism. Expert-vetted and rigorously researched, Psychedelics: Transforming Psychiatry delivers an authoritative review of the current knowledge and evidence for the use of psychedelics in practice. Organized into three parts, this volume covers • The history of psychedelic research and treatment, as well as the pharmacological and neurobiological mechanisms that underpin how these substances work• Clinical applications for targeted illnesses that include mood disorders, PTSD, OCD and anxiety disorders, and substance use disorders• Precautions and risks when using psychedelics, the role of psychotherapy when leveraging these substances, and potential future uses The contributions from an international panel of recognized experts are enriched throughout the text by key clinical takeaways, data tables, and extensive references. This is a thoughtful and informative review of the current, rapidly developing landscape surrounding psychedelics in medicine.
