Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42053657›Full record

ReviewPsychopharmacology2026

Evaluating the evidence for repressed memory recovery in psychedelic contexts.

Anne-Fiona Griesfeller, Lotte Kooman, Lilian Kloft-Heller, Samuli Kangaslampi, Johannes G Ramaekers, Henry Otgaar

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In one paragraph

Review in Psychopharmacology, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–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

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

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.

Anne-Fiona GriesfellerFaculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands. a.griesfeller@student.maastrichtuniversity.nl.
Lotte KoomanFaculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Lilian Kloft-HellerFaculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Samuli KangaslampiFaculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland.
Johannes G RamaekersFaculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.
Henry OtgaarFaculty of Psychology and Neuroscience, Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands.

Funding

Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek G0D3621N
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

rationaleReports of resurfaced repressed memories during psychedelic experiences have circulated for decades and still emerge today. However, the veracity of repressed memories remains debated, and the mechanisms through which psychedelics might recover alleged repressed memories are unclear.

objectivesThis scoping review aimed to provide an overview of the literature on repressed memory in the context of psychedelics. It examined how repressed memory was defined, which substances were predominantly discussed, which mechanisms were proposed to explain their effects, and whether these mechanisms were empirically supported.

methodsA scoping review was conducted in line with PRISMA-ScR guidelines. Web of Science, PubMed, PsycINFO and Google Scholar were searched for relevant publications. Fifty-three sources met eligibility criteria. Data were charted on study design, psychedelic substance, definitions of repressed memory, results, and proposed mechanisms.

resultsMost publications focused on lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) in relation to repressed memory. Few sources provided a definition of repressed memory. Proposed mechanisms on how psychedelics might influence repressed memory included psychoanalytical reductions of defensive memory blockades and neurobiological alterations of executive control. However, empirical support for these mechanisms was limited.

conclusionsThe included literature did not offer a coherent explanation on how psychedelics could recover repressed memories, nor consistent evidence that they did so reliably. Future work should provide clear definitions of repressed memory in the context of psychedelics, test proposed effects of psychedelics on memory and executive control across multiple psychedelic substances, include placebo-controlled designs, and account for the potential occurrence of false memories.

Indexed as

Dissociate amnesiaPsychedelicsRepressed memoryScoping review

Identifiers

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Registered trials

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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.