From Adults to Adolescents: Bridging Scientific Potential and Evidence-Based Paths for Psychedelic-Assisted Interventions
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapies have shown robust antidepressant and transdiagnostic effects in rigorously controlled adult trials. Extending this work to adolescents is scientifically compelling yet ethically complex, given neurodevelopmental vulnerabilities and the paucity of pediatric data. This review examines the historical context of psychedelic use, summarizes adult efficacy and mechanistic insights, explores adolescent-specific opportunities and risks, and considers applications in co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders. Finally, it proposes a phased research and policy roadmap that emphasizes safety, transparency, and equitable access. The central conclusion is that investigation in adolescents is justified, but clinical use should proceed only within rigorously governed research frameworks.
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