Integrating Psychedelics Into Nursing Education and Practice: Historical, Clinical, and Educational Perspectives

Resurgence of interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy has highlighted the need for nurses to possess foundational knowledge, clinical skills, and ethical competency in this emerging area. Psychedelics have been used therapeutically for centuries, and modern research indicates their efficacy for mental health conditions such as posttraumatic stress disorder), treatment-resistant depression, substance use disorders, as well as palliative and hospice care augmentation. Despite this, nursing education largely omits formal instruction on psychedelics, resulting in knowledge gaps and limited confidence among registered nurses and advanced practice registered nurses. This article examines the historical context of psychedelics, contemporary clinical applications, educational imperatives, and strategies for integrating psychedelic education into undergraduate and graduate nursing curricula. Emphasis is placed on pharmacology, patient safety, ethical practice, and experiential learning. The integration of psychedelic-assisted therapy content into nursing education is essential to prepare nurses to deliver safe, evidence-based, and patient-centered care in a rapidly evolving clinical landscape.