How Should Clinicians Share Decision Making With Patients Interested in Using Psychedelics to Feel Psychologically Safe?

AMA J Ethics. 2024 Nov 1;26(11):E842-849. doi: 10.1001/amajethics.2024.842.

Abstract

This commentary on a case of a transgender patient interested in using psychedelics to feel more at peace and achieve a sense of psychological safety argues that health care practitioners can help their patients minimize potential harms of psychedelics by providing psychoeducation and resources to identify clinical trials or skilled and knowledgeable psychedelic practitioners. This approach can support patients' agency in their mental health care and ability to foster moments of peace in their lives.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Decision Making
  • Decision Making, Shared
  • Female
  • Hallucinogens* / administration & dosage
  • Hallucinogens* / adverse effects
  • Hallucinogens* / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physician-Patient Relations / ethics
  • Transgender Persons / psychology

Substances

  • Hallucinogens