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The current interest in the psychological and possible therapeutic effects of psychedelic drugs has been accompanied by controlled investigations. Two review articles now examine nascent research into psychedelic drugs, including the putative benefits of LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca.
One article is organized as a point–counterpoint focusing on psilocybin and ayahuasca. First, Carhart-Harris reviews three controlled and five observational studies (3 in cancer patients) examining these drugs' safety and effects on anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and substance use disorders, showing potentially long-lasting benefits after single doses and only limited adverse effects. Then, Goodwin, a senior psychopharmacologist with more-…