Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Course overview

Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) combines psychedelic drugs and psychotherapy, the biological and psychological effects of the drug, and psychiatric intervention. Psychedelic drugs have been divided into four categories that are often regarded as classic psychedelics: LSD, mescaline, dimethyltryptamine (DMT), and psilocybin. PAP has been used to treat major depressive disorder (MDD), post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), substance use disorders (SUD), anxiety and depression, and several substance use disorders, e.g., alcohol and tobacco. It has also become an important part of palliative care treatment. While not a new treatment in the United States, research on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics continues to be considered investigative.