About this Research Topic

Background

Recent years have seen significant increases in the exploration of the treatment possibilities using psychedelic substances and cannabinoids. This has highlighted their potential usefulness in the treatment of a range of psychiatric disorders. Due to the novelty of these treatments however, we still have limited understanding of the efficacy, appropriateness and safety if these treatments. Psychiatric disorders are a growing and increasingly burdensome public health concern, where advancement in the treatments are needed. This research topic with therefor focus on cutting-edge research that explore the use of cannabinoid and psychedelic medicines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Furthermore, we require a greater understanding of these substances in order to not only assure their effectiveness as treatments, but also to assure their safety and appropriateness for use in a range of populations.

The goal of this Research Topic is to present evidence for novel psychiatric treatments using cannabinoids and psychedelic substances; and discuss how these treatments may translate to therapeutic use. Further to this we want to highlight research that focuses on safety measures and appropriateness for users of these treatments. The topic will aim to present studies that have examined the use of these treatments in clinical populations with psychiatric disorders such as, depression, anxiety and PTSD. We will further present studies that have assessed the safety of these substances. We will also present how treatment outcomes may differ between populations which may be considerations for their therapeutic use. Further to this, pre-clinical studies that provide context the treatment mechanisms behind the use of psychedelics or cannabinoid medications will be included. Together, we anticipate that this research topics will be informative to researchers, clinicians and legislators for the use of the cannabinoids and psychedelics in therapeutic settings.

We welcome studies on:

• Novel clinical research using cannabinoids for the treatment of psychiatric disorders
• Novel clinical research using psychedelic medicines for the treatment of psychiatric disorders
• Research in naturalistic setting on the effectiveness of psychedelic medicines for the improvement of mental health outcomes
• Translational research using psychedelics or cannabinoids in animal models
• Analysis of the safety and considerations around the use of cannabinoids
• Analysis of the safety and considerations around the use of psychedelic medicines.
• Challenges and considerations around translating cannabinoid or psychedelic medicines to clinical practice

Keywords: Psychedelics, Cannabinoids, Psychiatric Disorders, Therapies, Safety

Important note: All contributions to this Research Topic must be within the scope of the section and journal to which they are submitted, as defined in their mission statements. Frontiers reserves the right to guide an out-of-scope manuscript to a more suitable section or journal at any stage of peer review.

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