Ethische Aspekte der Therapie mit Psychedelika

In recent years clinical research on psychedelic-assisted therapy for mental disorders has resumed, with a steadily increasing number of studies and publications. This raises many ethical questions that have not yet been sufficiently addressed and answered.

This article provides an overview of the current state of clinical research and then focuses on the central ethical questions arising from this particular form of therapy.

Ethical issues are illuminated in detail based on the current literature and examples from an ongoing study in Germany.

Central topics, such as the increased suggestibility under the effects of psychedelics, the resulting high responsibility of therapists, the expected temporary dissolution of the self as well as long-term effects on the philosophy and the deep convictions of the patients are addressed in detail.

As this is a form of treatment that can bring about profound changes in a short amount of time, informed consent is of particular importance, as is the broader societal discussion on the epistemological dimension of the contents of psychedelic experiences.