Presenting Our May 2026 Theme: Psychedelics

Psychiatric Times features monthly themes that speak to various aspects of psychiatry and issues relevant to psychiatric clinicians. Our May 2026 theme focuses on a recent hot topic: psychedelics.

Recently, the US Food and Drug Administration announced a series of regulatory actions aimed at accelerating development of psychedelic-based treatments for serious mental illness following the recent executive order directed at the US Department of Health and Human Services. The moves include issuance of priority review vouchers, clearance of new early-phase clinical research, and forthcoming guidance on trial design for serotonin-2A agonists and related compounds.¹ This exciting news has invigorated a new wave of interest in psychedelics.

How might psychedelics alter the psychiatric treatment landscape? What research on psychedelics are you most interested in? For what disorders do psychedelics show the most promise? If approved, would you be willing to use psychedelics in your clinical practice? Do you have practice tips to offer your fellow mental health clinicians? Have you experienced a patient case that could help others learn?

If you have something you want to share, whether that's an article, case study example, or CME article, let us know! Write to us now at [email protected] to be featured in our May content series and potentially in a future Special Report/print issue.

Example articles include:

Investigating the Effect of Psilocybin in Treatment-Resistant Depression

Psilocybin: A Clinician’s Guide to Pharmacological Interactions

Breaking Trauma: Mechanisms of MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for PTSD

Adverse Events and Psychedelics: Differences Across Substances and Context

Reference

1. Duerr HA. FDA fast-tracks psychedelic therapies for depression, PTSD, and alcohol use disorder. Psychiatric Times. April 24, 2026. https://www.psychiatrictimes.com/view/fda-fast-tracks-psychedelic-therapies-for-depression-ptsd-and-alcohol-use-disorder