A recent article delves into the growing scepticism surrounding psychedelic science, particularly regarding its therapeutic potential. Initially, the field sparked significant interest due to claims of psychedelics enhancing mental and physical wellbeing and treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. However, closer scrutiny of empirical evidence has revealed significant flaws in the current clinical trials.

One major issue is known as the “breaking blind problem,” where participants in psychedelic studies can easily determine whether they have been given a psychedelic or a placebo due to the profound mind-altering effects. This awareness can lead to placebo effects in those receiving psychedelics and frustration in the control group, skewing results. Additionally, therapists may also be influenced by knowing which treatment their patients received, further compromising the integrity of randomised controlled trials.

Source: The Conversation