Introduction

The resurgence of interest in psychedelic therapies for treating mental and substance use disorders has highlighted psilocybin as a primary compound of interest. However, the therapeutic potential of other serotonergic psychedelics, such as mescaline, ibogaine, ayahuasca, N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), remains less explored.

Review of Safety and Efficacy

A comprehensive review by Wong et al. (2023) investigates these psychedelics' safety and efficacy in treating mental and substance use disorders. The review included 77 studies, with LSD being the most studied (43 studies), followed by ayahuasca (24 studies), and fewer studies on DMT, ibogaine, and mescaline. These substances have shown potential benefits, including improved mood and anxiety symptoms, enhanced insight, reduced substance use, improved relationships, and decreased vegetative symptoms. However, adverse effects were also reported, primarily psychological, neurological, physical, and gastrointestinal. Serious adverse events like homicide and suicide were noted in LSD studies. This review concludes that the evidence supporting the safety and efficacy of non-psilocybin serotonergic psychedelics in individuals with mental and substance use disorders is limited to low-level evidence (Wong et al., 2023).

Implications for Psychedelic Research and Harm Reduction

The findings from this review are crucial for understanding the broader landscape of serotonergic psychedelics beyond psilocybin in treating mental health and substance use disorders. They underscore the necessity of cautious advancement in psychedelic research, emphasizing harm reduction, safety, and public education. While these substances offer promising therapeutic benefits, the potential risks cannot be overlooked. Adverse effects, including psychological distress and rare but severe events like suicide or homicide, highlight the importance of controlled settings, thorough patient screening, and professional support during psychedelic therapy sessions.

Conclusion

Given the significant interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies, this review's insights are invaluable for organizations focused on psychedelic harm reduction. They contribute to a more informed public understanding of both the risks and benefits of psychedelic use, reinforcing the need for responsible, evidence-based approaches to exploring their therapeutic potential.