Ethics of Psychedelic Medicine

Definitions/Description

• People use the term "psychedelics" in different ways. There are narrow and broad definitions of the term:
  • Narrow definition, or “classic” psychedelics are serotonin 2A receptor agonists or partial agonists.
    • They produce altered states of consciousness, characterized by dramatic changes in perception, mood, and thought during their acute subjective effects. They can involve persisting effects lasting days, weeks, or months.
    • Includes psilocybin, lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), DMT, and mescaline
    • Note that this set somewhat varies in terms of their receptor mechanisms, time course of effects, and risk/benefit profiles.
  • Broad definition of “psychedelic” includes a wider set of psychoactive compounds with similar somewhat phenomenological and psychoactive properties in that they also produce an intensely altered state of consciousness acutely, with possible persisting effects.
    • Includes entactogenic drugs (e.g. MDMA), and dissociative anesthetics (e.g. ketamine) and others (e.g., Ibogaine, 2-CB).
    • Note that this set widely varies in terms of their receptor mechanisms, time course of effects, and risk/benefit profiles.