Why Scientists Are Taking Another Look at Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy

While modern psychiatry has transformed the treatment of many mental health conditions, many people living with treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other psychiatric disorders continue to respond inadequately to conventional treatments. This has led researchers around the world to investigate new therapeutic approaches, including psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Scientific studies support the case for controlled psychedelic-assisted therapies

A 2026 review published in Nature Medicine highlights the rapid progress being made in psychedelic medicine. The review found growing evidence that psychedelic-assisted therapies are being investigated as potential treatments for a range of psychiatric conditions when used alongside psychotherapy in carefully controlled clinical settings.

The authors emphasize that further high-quality research is needed to better understand their safety, effectiveness and role in psychiatric care. The research is also providing valuable insights into the brain mechanisms underlying emotional processing, specific brain networks and even aspects of human consciousness.

The Use of Psychedelics as Therapeutics

It is this emerging area of psychiatric research that South African integrative psychiatrist Dr Kevin Stoloff will explore when he joins an international faculty of experts at the Integrative Mental Health Symposium in Cape Town on Saturday, 29 August, and Johannesburg on Sunday, 30 August.

Drawing on decades of experience in integrative psychiatry, he will present The Use of Psychedelics as Therapeutics, examining the latest evidence, the current state of the research and the clinical safeguards required for the responsible use of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

The need for continued innovation in mental healthcare remains significant. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), nearly one in seven people worldwide live with a mental disorder, while many still do not have access to effective care.

Evidence-Based Clinical Practice

For Dr Stoloff, these challenges reinforce the importance of continuing to investigate new treatment approaches through rigorous scientific research and evidence-based clinical practice.

“The evidence surrounding psychedelic-assisted therapies is growing rapidly,” says Dr Stoloff. “While many patients benefit from conventional treatments, a significant proportion continue to experience treatment-resistant illness. Our responsibility as clinicians is to evaluate emerging evidence carefully and determine where these therapies may safely and appropriately fit within modern psychiatric care.”

Dr Stoloff will explore both the opportunities and limitations of psychedelic-assisted therapies, highlighting the importance of careful patient selection, professional supervision and rigorous scientific evaluation.

“As our understanding advances, it is essential that patient safety, ethical practice and rigorous scientific evidence remain at the centre of every clinical decision. We also need to consider how this growing body of research may ultimately be applied within South Africa’s unique socio-economic and healthcare environment,” he says.

About Dr Kevin Stoloff

Dr Kevin Stoloff is a specialist psychiatrist with decades of experience in integrative psychiatry.

His work explores the intersection of conventional psychiatric care and emerging approaches to mental health, with a focus on evidence-based practice, patient safety and responsible clinical application.

At the Integrative Mental Health Symposium, Dr Stoloff will examine the evolving scientific evidence surrounding psychedelic-assisted therapies and the potential role these approaches may play within modern psychiatric care.

About the  Integrative Mental Health Symposium

Cape Town Symposium
• Date: Saturday, 29 August 2026
• Time: 09:30 – 16:00
• Venue: Marriott Crystal Towers, Century City

Johannesburg Symposium
• Date: Sunday, 30 August 2026
• Time: 09:30 – 16:00
• Venue: Bryanston Country Club, Sandton

The Integrative Mental Health Symposium will also introduce FIRST/LIGHT Cortisol Support, formulated with Ashwagandha and AlphaWave® L-Theanine—ingredients being studied for their role in supporting the body’s response to stress.

References

• Nature Medicine. (2026)

• World Health Organization. Mental health

Main photo credit: Alex Green