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Acta Psychedelica
Article . 2026 . Peer-reviewed
License: CC BY
Data sources: Crossref
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Adolescent Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Addressing Ethical and Clinical Challenges Through a Systems-Psychological Lens
Authors: Bryony Insua-Summerhays; Edward Jacobs;

Adolescent Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

Abstract

Amidst a growing prevalence of adolescent mental ill-health, there is a pressing need to develop effective therapeutic interventions. Despite promising results from adult trials of psychedelic-assisted therapies (P-AT), translating these interventions to adolescents presents challenges. Therapeutic outcomes in paediatric contexts cannot be inferred from adult studies due to age-dependent somatic and psychological effects. Administering psychedelics during adolescence, a period of significant psychological, social, and biological change, demands careful ethical consideration. Emphasising the pro-plasticity nature of psychedelics, we advocate for a systems-psychological approach to P-AT for adolescent depression. Compared to adults, this population is more dependent on, and less able to modify, the socio-ecological context in which their psychopathology emerges. The reduced autonomy of adolescents, coupled with the pro-plasticity effects of psychedelics, creates a distinctive risk-benefit profile that warrants a systems-psychological treatment approach to mitigate risks and enhance benefits. Expanded screening, psychosocial formulation, psychoeducation for family members, and bespoke integration and post-trial support are introduced as accommodations for P-AT in this population. Our interdisciplinary approach, drawing on bioethical and clinical considerations, foregrounds the matrix within which adolescents exist and their psychopathology develops. We aim to ensure that P-AT for adolescents is safe, effective, and ethically sound, ultimately laying the foundation for developmentally appropriate and contextually sensitive interventions.

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
Average
Average
gold