Importance of Integrating Spiritual, Existential, Religious, and Theological Components in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

Importance  Mounting evidence supports the role of spiritual, existential, religious, and theological components in mediating psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet integration of these elements into the clinical setting is lagging.

Observations  Although psychedelic-assisted therapy commonly produces spiritually, existentially, religiously, or theologically relevant experiences for patients, these have not been systematically integrated into the psychotherapies that accompany therapeutic uses of psychedelics. As a key feature and potential mediator of therapeutic effects, evidence-based psychedelic-assisted therapies should include these topics in the treatment model. Research across multiple diagnostic targets and treatment contexts suggests that spiritually integrated psychotherapies are effective, feasible, and produce add-on benefits in spiritually, existentially, religiously, and theologically relevant outcomes, which are particularly germane to psychedelics. Established standards in spiritually integrated psychotherapy may be fruitfully applied to psychedelic-assisted therapy. Objectives for spiritually, existentially, religiously, and theologically integrated psychedelic-assisted therapy based on these standards and informed by considerations specific to psychedelics are recommended.

Conclusions and Relevance  Spiritual, existential, religious, and theological topics’ integration in psychedelic-assisted therapy is needed to ensure culturally competent, evidence-based treatment aligned with the highest standards of clinical care. Neglecting to address these topics can detract from cultural competence, contribute to risks for patients, and potentially undermine treatment success.

Link to article: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamapsychiatry/article-abstract/2805365