Psychotherapy supported by psychadelics shows potential, yet remains unfit for clinical use, assert doctors in the UK
In a significant development, the Czech Republic has announced that psilocybin will be legal for treating depression from 2026 onwards. This move marks a step forward in the growing acceptance of psychedelic drugs in the treatment of mental health disorders.
However, the road to full approval for a broad range of psychedelic medicines in Europe is expected to be a long one, with several years still needed before widespread use becomes a reality. One of the key challenges in psychedelic research is 'breaking blind' in clinical trials, as participants can often tell when they have taken a psychedelic substance, thereby increasing the risk of placebo effects.
To address this issue, psychedelic-assisted therapies are usually accompanied by talk therapy. This approach aims to ensure that the therapeutic effects observed are due to the drug's action, rather than simply the anticipation or expectation of its effects.
In Europe, clinical trials for psychedelic-assisted therapies are currently underway. These trials are testing the potential of various psychedelics, including MDMA, ketamine, LSD, and psilocybin, to treat a range of mental health disorders.
Notable European institutions involved in these studies include Germany's Central Institute of Mental Health (Zentralinstitut für Seelische Gesundheit) in Mannheim and the OVID Clinic in Berlin, where psilocybin trials for treatment-resistant depression have been conducted under a Compassionate-Use program since July 2025. Other major studies have been led by Alan Davis in U.S. institutions but involve collaborations with European researchers.
The Royal College of Psychiatrists in the UK has analysed existing research on these treatments and concluded that they could help treat a wide range of mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, PTSD, and addiction. However, the group found that there is not enough high-quality evidence to recommend these drugs be routinely used in psychiatry.
Oliver Howes, one of the report's authors and chair of the college's psychopharmacology committee, urged a 'sober science' approach and caution in the use of these drugs. He emphasised that psychedelics should only be administered by a psychiatry-led, multidisciplinary team.
Meanwhile, the European Union has funded a psychedelics trial to test psilocybin's effectiveness in alleviating anxiety and depression among patients with multiple sclerosis and other progressive diseases.
In light of these developments, it is crucial for individuals to resist the temptation of self-medicating with psychedelic drugs. Instead, participation in clinical trials is encouraged to contribute to the body of knowledge on these potentially groundbreaking treatments.
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