Integrative healthcare trends to watch in 2020

Psychedelics

In the past year, the psychedelic compound psilocybin has received attention for its therapeutic potential. While previous clinical trials have demonstrated efficacy of a single psilocybin-generated mystical experience in helping individuals with cancer, new research continues to build on how psychedelics may be utilized in the medical setting. Psilocybin specifically has been shown to rapidly decrease depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and demoralization, as well as improve spiritual wellbeing.

Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule I compound under the Controlled Substances Act. Lifetime prevalence of nonmedical use of psilocybin in the U.S. was 8.5 percent in 2015. The National Institute on Drug Abuse does not consider psilocybin and other classic psychedelics to be drugs of addiction because they do not produce compulsive drug-seeking behavior. Medical emergencies from psilocybin use is very rare.

As the body of scientific research continues to expand, there may be opportunity to reevaluate psilocybin compound classification. While this is unlikely to happen in the next calendar year, several integrative experts are spearheading research efforts, and practitioner interest can bolster potential policy initiatives.