A Systematic Review of Study Design and Placebo Controls in Psychedelic Research.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Effective blinding is especially challenging in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) involving psychedelics due to the inherent alterations in consciousness that these compounds induce. In this systematic review and exploratory analysis, we aim at synthesizing the methodologies used in RCTs involving classic psychedelics and identify procedures that can help minimize unblinding and bias.

Methods

We completed a literature search that included prospective RCTs published between 1963 and January 2023, in which participants were randomized to receive either a classic psychedelic or placebo.

Results

A total of 1402 papers were included in the initial search. After eligibility criteria were applied, 50 papers from 48 clinical trials were included. Most studies w

SUBMITTER: Wen A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11658677 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature