Talks
Presenting Author Academic/Professional Position
Alissa Anahi Lopez
Academic Level (Author 1)
Medical Student
Academic Level (Author 2)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 2)
Medical Education
Academic Level (Author 3)
Faculty
Discipline/Specialty (Author 3)
Medical Education
Discipline Track
Clinical Science
Abstract Type
Research/Clinical
Abstract
Background: Psychedelics are gaining renewed scientific interest as a treatment for mental health conditions such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and addiction. Numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest these substances may produce significant therapeutic effects. However, there is currently no high-level synthesis comparing how different psychedelic compounds perform across a range of psychiatric conditions. A quantitative umbrella review is needed to clarify whether psychedelics broadly improve mental health outcomes, and whether certain compounds are more effective for specific diagnoses.
Methods: The aim of this study is to conduct an umbrella review (meta-analysis of meta-analyses) to assess the efficacy of psychedelics therapy across several mental health conditions. We will include meta-analyses that evaluate the effects of ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, ayahuasca, ibogaine, or similar compounds on psychiatric disorders. Eligible reviews must report or allow calculation of quantitative effect sizes (e.g., Cohen’s d, OR, RR). Effect sizes will be standardized and compared across substances and conditions. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will explore patterns of effectiveness and potential moderators, such as specific drugcondition pairings. Evidence quality, heterogeneity, and bias will be assessed using I², funnel plots, and GRADE scoring.
Results: Currently, we have identified 19 meta-analysesthat include 4 different drugs and 5 psychiatric conditions. Databases searched include Pubmed, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane, Science Direct. We used combinations of the keyword “meta-analysis” paired with psychedelic substances such as “psilocybin”, “LSD”, “MDMA”, “DMT”, “ayahuasca", as well as psychiatric conditions including “depression”, “anxiety”, “post-traumatic stress disorder”, “obsessive compulsive disorder”. No restrictions were placed on publication status, language, or date. We expect to find that psychedelic-assisted therapy is associated with significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms overall. Psilocybin is anticipated to show strong effects in depression, and MDMA in PTSD. By comparing effect sizes across substances and diagnoses, we aim to assess the therapeutic effect of psychedelics and to identify whether certain compounds are more effective for specific diagnoses, or if all psychedelics produce broadly similar therapeutic effects.
Conclusion: This umbrella review will offer a comprehensive synthesis of existing evidence on the efficacy of psychedelics. It aims to clarify whether these substances have a general therapeutic benefit for mental health conditions and to identify possible compound-specific advantages. The findings could inform clinical practice by guiding treatment selection. It will also guide future research and the design of clinical trials comparing psychedelic therapies.
Presentation Type
Talk
Recommended Citation
Lopez, Alissa A.; Salloum, Ihsan; and Lopez-Alvarenga, Juan C., "Efficacy of Psychedelics Therapy Across Psychiatric Disorders: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses" (2025). Research Colloquium. 1.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/colloquium/2025/talks/1
Included in
Efficacy of Psychedelics Therapy Across Psychiatric Disorders: An Umbrella Review of Meta-Analyses
Background: Psychedelics are gaining renewed scientific interest as a treatment for mental health conditions such as major depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and addiction. Numerous clinical trials and meta-analyses suggest these substances may produce significant therapeutic effects. However, there is currently no high-level synthesis comparing how different psychedelic compounds perform across a range of psychiatric conditions. A quantitative umbrella review is needed to clarify whether psychedelics broadly improve mental health outcomes, and whether certain compounds are more effective for specific diagnoses.
Methods: The aim of this study is to conduct an umbrella review (meta-analysis of meta-analyses) to assess the efficacy of psychedelics therapy across several mental health conditions. We will include meta-analyses that evaluate the effects of ketamine, psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, ayahuasca, ibogaine, or similar compounds on psychiatric disorders. Eligible reviews must report or allow calculation of quantitative effect sizes (e.g., Cohen’s d, OR, RR). Effect sizes will be standardized and compared across substances and conditions. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses will explore patterns of effectiveness and potential moderators, such as specific drugcondition pairings. Evidence quality, heterogeneity, and bias will be assessed using I², funnel plots, and GRADE scoring.
Results: Currently, we have identified 19 meta-analysesthat include 4 different drugs and 5 psychiatric conditions. Databases searched include Pubmed, Google Scholar, Wiley Online Library, Cochrane, Science Direct. We used combinations of the keyword “meta-analysis” paired with psychedelic substances such as “psilocybin”, “LSD”, “MDMA”, “DMT”, “ayahuasca", as well as psychiatric conditions including “depression”, “anxiety”, “post-traumatic stress disorder”, “obsessive compulsive disorder”. No restrictions were placed on publication status, language, or date. We expect to find that psychedelic-assisted therapy is associated with significant improvements in psychiatric symptoms overall. Psilocybin is anticipated to show strong effects in depression, and MDMA in PTSD. By comparing effect sizes across substances and diagnoses, we aim to assess the therapeutic effect of psychedelics and to identify whether certain compounds are more effective for specific diagnoses, or if all psychedelics produce broadly similar therapeutic effects.
Conclusion: This umbrella review will offer a comprehensive synthesis of existing evidence on the efficacy of psychedelics. It aims to clarify whether these substances have a general therapeutic benefit for mental health conditions and to identify possible compound-specific advantages. The findings could inform clinical practice by guiding treatment selection. It will also guide future research and the design of clinical trials comparing psychedelic therapies.
