Informed Consent to Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: Ethical Considerations

Publicly available codes of ethics and related guidelines for psychedelic therapists and researchers tend to describe important considerations around informed consent and associated ethical responsibilities. A consistent limitation, however, is a nuanced articulation of the complexities of informed consent -- including the withdrawal of consent -- during the psychedelic session, as well as the important questions about whether, how, who decides, and when a psychedelic session ought to be terminated. These questions are critical for psychiatric practice given the potential effects of psychedelics on decision-making capacity as the unique and unpredictable psychedelic experience can create situations of intensified vulnerability for some participants.