A perspective on psychedelics as treatments for addictions: Past, Present, and Future

This Perspectives piece gives a brief overview on the last 70 years of psychedelic research in relation to the treatment of mental illness with a particular focus on addictions. We briefly precis the work in the 1950s/60s that started following the discovery of LSD. Then we overview research developments over the past twenty years driven by emerging neuroscience on these agents, the rise of MDMA use in psychotherapy and the emergence of ketamine as a treatment for mental illnesses. We then briefly outline new research on the brain mechanisms of these therapeutic effects. Finally the current status of research and future challenges in the field are reviewed.