Psychedelics and mental health: Can the field deliver on its promise?

A new expert commentary on the future of psychedelics as a treatment for mental health conditions has just been published on The Mental Elf, a leading platform for mental health research and guidance. The piece brings together diverse expert perspectives from across research, regulation, and policy — including from our own Director of Programmes and Partnerships, Anna Zecharia.

This article follows a webinar hosted by the International Alliance of Mental Health Research Funders (IAMHRF) in late 2024, Making Sense of Psychedelics to debate both the promise and pitfalls of psychedelic-assisted therapies. The initial discussion sparked further collaboration and dialogue, culminating in this new sector-wide reflection and call to action.

Co-authored by Niall Boyce (Wellcome*), Florence Butlen-Ducuing (previously European Medicines Agency), Pim Cuijpers (Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and WHO Collaborating Centre for Research and Dissemination of Psychological Interventions), Allan Young (King’s College London) and Anna Zecharia (IAMHRF), the piece acknowledges both the rising hopes and persistent challenges facing psychedelic research. 

It calls for a thoughtful balance between hope and pragmatism, offering five concrete areas for action to move the field forward: 

• Set a balanced tone
• Find consensus on methods
• Define smart research priorities
• Clarify the role of psychotherapy
• Prepare health systems

As the authors write: “Investment in psychedelics research must be focused on the questions that will take the field forward – not on high volume, low return research.” This is a timely reminder that the future of psychedelic-assisted mental health treatments depend on rigorous, collaborative, and patient-focused science.

*IAMHRF Member

Read the full article on The Mental Elf

Watch the webinar recording