Haley Dourron - Psychedelics & Psychosis: The Latest Science

Psychedelics are often excluded from clinical trials for individuals with a history of psychosis due to fears regarding symptom exacerbation. This presentation explores the historical link between psychedelic use and psychosis, challenging the assumption that all psychedelics automatically lead to severe, permanent mental derangement. It argues that scientific and cultural narratives have often demonized these substances based on limited evidence, and that further, more rigorous study is necessary before dismissing their potential for, or safety profile in, sub-populations. New qualitative evidence suggests that for some individuals with psychotic disorders, the experiences triggered by psychedelics differ fundamentally from episodes of psychosis. Attendees report heightened attention or cognitive control during sessions, which contrasts with the fragmentation typical of psychosis, as well as potential longer-term improvements in motivation and insight into their condition.