Psychedelics as Psychiatric Medications (Oxford Psychiatry Library)

There is substantial contemporary interest in psychedelic agents as medicines for maladies of the mind. This follows research in the 1950s and 1960s exploring the use of LSD and other psychedelics to treat a range of psychiatric illnesses as well as addictions. This research was shut down after prohibition of these drugs, however the last decade has seen a major renewal of interest in the therapeutic use of psychedelics and related drugs in psychiatry.

Psilocybin (found in 'magic mushrooms') has been used effectively for amelioration of distress in people with depression/anxiety in the context of potentially life-ending cancers, as well as for treatment-resistant depression and also addictions. MDMA ('ecstasy') has shown efficacy for severe post-traumatic stress disorder, with enduring benefit. Other psychedelics, both plant-derived (e. g., ayahuasca) and synthetically produced (e. g., LSD) are also being investigated for their potential therapeutic value.

These agents not only herald a new neurobiology but also allow an integration of psychotherapy with biological compounds that is truly novel and that challenges established psychiatric practice. Furthermore, the action of these agents on the brain allows an exploration of how the brain works to 'open up' to psychotherapeutic healing.

Published as part of the Oxford Psychiatry Library series, the book provides an overview of this hugely exciting field, covering the history of psychedelics, clinical aspects, risks and side effects, precautions and processes.

• A comprehensive and up-to-date resource in the series that are pocket-sized, user-friendly, and portable.
• Provides a thorough overview of the field from the last decade.
• Illustrates a balanced appraisal of the literature.
• Delivers clinical pointers and key points for easy accessibility that are concise for busy clinicians.
• Chapters written by diverse major leaders from across the globe.

1.: Historical Overview, Ishrat Husain and Chase Thompson
2.: The psychotherapeutic component of psychedelic medicine (includes set, setting, anticipation, expectancy, preparation, integration), Laurie Highbed and Ben Sessa
3.: Psilocybin, David Erritzoe and James Rucker
4.: MDMA, Michael Mithoefer and David Presti
5.: Lysergic Acid Diethylamid: In Search of the Wonder Drug, Mihai Avram, Felix Müller and Stefan Borgwardt
6.: Ayahuasca, Jerome Sarris, Dan Perkins and Simon Ruffell
7.: Ibogaine, Deborah Mash
8.: Other psychedelics, James Linden and Daniel Robin
9.: Ketamine, Joshua Di Vincenzo, Joshua Rosenblat and Roger McIntyre
10: Risks and side effects associated with the use of psychedelics, Jo Neil, Mohammed Shahid, Rosalind Gittins, Anne K Schalg and Frank I Tarazi
11.: Psychedelics as psychiatric medicines: current challenges and future prospects, David Castle, David Nutt and Nicole Ledwos

Edited by David Nutt, Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology and Head of the Centre for Psychedelic Research, Division of Brain Sciences, Imperial College London, UK, and David Castle, Scientific Director, Centre for Complex Interventions, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health; and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toronto, Canada

David Nutt is a psychiatrist and the Edmond J. Safra Professor of Neuropsychopharmacology in Imperial College London. He is currently Founding Chair of the charity DrugScience. org. uk and has been president of the European Brain Council, the BAP, BNA, and ECNP. David has published 35 books and over 1000 research papers that define his many landmark contributions to psychopharmacology including GABA and noradrenaline receptor function in anxiety disorders, serotonin function in depression, endorphin and dopamine function in addiction and the neuroscience and clinical utility of psychedelics. Some of this has been made into films e. g. on Netflix and on the BBC and a play. He broadcasts widely to the general public on pharmacology and psychiatric matters, has over 60k followers on twitter and has his own very popular podcast...

David Castle is Inaugural Scientific Director of the Centre for Complex Interventions (CCI) at the Centre for Addictions and Mental Health (CAMH), Toronto, Canada; and Professor, Department of Psychiatry, The University of Toronto. He has wide clinical and research interests, encompassing schizophrenia and related disorders, bipolar disorder, OCD spectrum disorders and disorders of body image. He has a longstanding interest in the impact of licit and illicit substances on the brain and body, and is actively engaged in a series of trials investigating psychedelics as psychiatric medicines. He has published widely and is a frequent speaker at scientific meetings.

Contributors:

Ishrat Husain
Chase Thompson
Laurie Highbed
Ben Sessa
David Erritzoe
James Rucker
Michael Mithoefer
David Presti
Mihai Avram
Felix Müller
Stefan Borgwardt
Jerome Sarris
Dan Perkin
Simon Ruffell
Deborah Mash
James Linden
Daniel Robin
Joshua Di Vincenzo
Joshua Rosenblat
Roger McIntyre
Jo Neil
Mohammed Shahid
Rosalind Gittins
Anne K Schalg
Frank I Tarazi
Nicole Ledwos

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