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GAO-25-108021 [1] (March 2025)

handle is hein.gao/sceadtchs0001 and id is 1 raw text is: GPO Science, Technology Assessment, and Analytics SCIENCE & TECH SPOTLIGHT: MEDICAL USE OF PSYCHEDELICS GAO-25-108021, March 2025 Psychedelics can change a person's perceptions and sense of self, which has promising medical applications. While more research is needed, including on adverse effects, psychedelics may reduce depression and other conditions. » Hundreds of clinical trials have examined psychedelics, including for treating PTSD and depression. » Researchers struggle to distinguish genuine effects of psychedelics from the placebo effect. » The medical use of psychedelics also raises questions for policymakers about how to balance potential benefits with research limitations and patient safety. THE SCIENCE What are psychedelics? Psychedelics are hallucinogenic drugs that can temporarily alter a person's mood and perceptions. Like a class of drugs known as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI), which are often prescribed for mental health care, psychedelics affect serotonin levels (see fig. 1). At certain doses, psychedelics may be used for medical purposes. For example, MDMA (also called ecstasy), LSD, and psilocybin (a hallucinogen found in some mushrooms) have been examined as potential treatments for PTSD and depression. What is known? Psychedelics work primarily by changing how a person's brain processes serotonin. This may cause vivid visions, or feelings of insightfulness or connection. Between 2015 and early 2025, over 340 trials on psychedelics began or were completed, according to ClinicalTrials.gov. For example, one study found that psilocybin reduced depression symptoms more than escitalopram, an SSRI. While most psychedelics have no federally approved medical uses, several U.S. government agencies have supported such research. For example, in December 2024, the Department of Veterans Affairs planned research to combine MDMA and psychotherapy to treat veterans with PTSD. Several states have also considered or passed legislation allowing medical use of psychedelics. Psychedelics may have non-life-threatening side effects, such as headaches or vomiting. In some cases, the use of these drugs can lead to safety risks due to impairment, or illicit psychedelics may be contaminated with dangerous substances such as fentanyl. While some research suggests that the use of psychedelics does not typically lead to physical addiction, the adverse effects of these drugs have not been fully studied. Source: GAO (analysis and iInustration), I GAO-25-108021 l-igure 1: Ine scien~ce tbenna ilocybin (sycneli~c musnlrooms) and MDMA What are the knowledge gaps? There is still much to learn about the potential benefits and adverse effects of psychedelics, GAO-25-108021 Medical Use of Psychedelics WH T HIS M

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