Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41139739›Full record

ArticlePsychopharmacology2026

Provider perspectives on challenges in treatment during psychedelic therapy.

David A Bender, Sandeep M Nayak, Joshua S Siegel, David J Hellerstein, Baris C Ercal, Eric J Lenze

Abstract read
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Article in Psychopharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 2 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing papers in PubMed, 1 pooled it
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it.

  1. Pooled it
  2. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

David A BenderThe University of Texas at Austin Dell Medical School, Austin, TX, USA. david.bender@austin.utexas.edu.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9842-2110
Sandeep M NayakThe Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.
Joshua S SiegelWashington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
David J HellersteinColumbia University Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY, USA.
Baris C ErcalWashington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.
Eric J LenzeWashington University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, MO, USA.

Funding

NIH HHS NIH R25-MH112473
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationalePsychedelic treatments are considered to involve unique treatment challenges relative to other psychiatric interventions, though these are typically not explored in detail within clinical trial reports.

objectivesTo determine the types of challenges that providers encounter while administering psychedelic drugs in research settings and to assess provider opinions on safeguards that may be pursued to improve outcomes.

methodsAn anonymous survey was distributed via email to contacts listed on clinicaltrials.gov. for clinical trials of psilocybin and LSD, personal contacts of authors, and through snowball sampling. Free response items were reviewed using qualitative thematic analysis.

results40 qualified respondents completed the survey. Respondents came from varying educational backgrounds (42.5% M.D./D.O., 57.5% other degrees) and practiced in at least 4 countries, 11 U.S. states, and 16 institutions. Respondents had overseen a total of 1656 psychedelic sessions (average = 41.4). Thematic analysis of free response descriptions pertaining to challenges in psychedelic therapy produced 11 distinct themes, with the most commonly reported challenges being intense dysphoria during treatment sessions (42% of respondents), disappointment with the intervention (25% of respondents), and re-engaging with traumatic experience (17% of respondents). 70% of respondents felt that individuals with PTSD or prior trauma warrant additional psychological support. Respondents recommended 9.8 h of total psychological support for individuals with serious mental illness receiving psychedelic treatment for the first time.

conclusionsPsychedelic providers encounter a variety of challenges over the course of psychedelic treatments. These potentialities should be considered during the development of psychological support protocols for clinical trials and any future clinical guidelines.

Indexed as

Attitude of Health PersonnelHallucinogensLysergic Acid DiethylamideMental DisordersClinical Trials as TopicHumansPsilocybinSurveys and QuestionnairesHallucinogensLysergic Acid DiethylamidePsilocybinAdverse eventsChallenging experienceLSDPsilocybinPsychedelic psychotherapyPsychedelics

Identifiers

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.