Interest in natural psychedelics as medical treatments has been bubbling up for some time, especially for mental health. But up until recently, there hasn’t been any reliable data about what role they may play in treating certain conditions. We’re excited to announce a new 1-hour CE course tackling this topic. Patients are asking about these therapies – providers need to be prepared to discuss them.
Ayahuasca, Hawaiian baby woodrose, iboga, psilocybin, peyote, and Salvia divinorum are among the most commonly discussed natural psychedelics. We’ll evaluate the evidence for each – including mechanism of action, clinical effects, safety, and potential interactions with conventional medications. Natural psychedelics also pose a unique set of considerations. Most of these substances are classified as Schedule I controlled substances in the US. This legal hurdle presents specific challenges. There are also research considerations outside of the legal roadblocks, including appropriate blinding, controlled environments, and patient expectations. We’ll discuss the impact these challenges have on the evidence.
Developing research on natural psychedelics continues to grab headlines and pique patient interest – providers need to know where things stand now and how to critically evaluate new claims to come. Our new CE is now available – check it out!
The information in this brief report is intended for informational purposes only, and is meant to help users better understand health concerns. This information should not be interpreted as specific medical advice. Users should consult with a qualified healthcare provider for specific questions regarding therapies, diagnosis and/or health conditions, prior to making therapeutic decisions. Copyright © 2024 NatMed. Commercial distribution or reproduction prohibited. NatMed is the leading provider of high-quality, evidence-based, clinically-relevant information on natural medicine, dietary supplements, herbs, vitamins, minerals, functional foods, diets, complementary practices, CAM modalities, exercises and medical conditions. Monograph sections include interactions with herbs, drugs, foods and labs, contraindications, depletions, dosing, toxicology, adverse effects, pregnancy and lactation data, synonyms, safety and effectiveness.
