New Guidelines Published for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

LOS ANGELES– In a landmark move, the American Psychedelic Practitioners Association (APPA) and BrainFutures have released what’s being heralded as the first set of professional practice guidelines for psychedelic-assisted therapy. This step comes at a crucial juncture, with the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) on the cusp of potentially greenlighting such therapeutic approaches.

APPA, the lead national body endorsing the integration of psychedelics into American healthcare, acknowledges the unique nature of psychedelic therapy. This model amalgamates psychedelic administration and therapy into a single session, necessitating novel competencies and methodologies for practitioners.

Amid imminent FDA approvals, the creation of these consensus-based guidelines is pivotal. Their intent is not only to hasten the integration of these treatments into the national healthcare framework but also to ensure accessibility for a broad range of potential beneficiaries.

BrainFutures’ Executive Director, David Esselman, envisions these guidelines shaping future research. He believes they can steer “cutting-edge studies that will result in new therapies,” potentially transforming them into indispensable tools for clinicians.

Brig. Gen. (Ret.) Dr. Stephen Xenakis, the Executive Director of APPA, emphasized the burgeoning demand among practitioners for comprehensive training to administer these treatments adeptly.

The guidelines, informed by current clinical research and expert consensus across disciplines, set a gold standard for the budding clinical arena. They serve to further validate psychedelic-assisted therapeutic practices. Moreover, over 20 APPA members have infused the guidelines with insights on justice, diversity, equity, inclusion, real-world applications, and the historical use of psychedelics in indigenous contexts.

Among the comprehensive points discussed are the prerequisites for training, licensing, and certification; detailed patient screening processes; strategies for optimizing patient experiences; and the vital role of ongoing informed consent. The document underscores the importance of fostering trust between practitioners and patients and guarantees consistent monitoring both during and post-therapy.

Dr. Andrew Penn, a clinical professor at UC-SF and a member of the drafting committee, emphasized the protective nature of these guidelines. He stated that they “aim to safeguard patients and promote the safe application of psychedelic medicines in professional contexts by elucidating concepts like patient consent, screening, ethics, and more.”

Notably, given the rapidly evolving nature of psychedelic research, the co-authors have stipulated that these guidelines will undergo revisions. They have a lifespan of two years post-publication, after which they will be updated based on emerging research and real-world data.