Uncovering psychological mechanisms mediating the effects of drugs: some issues and comments using the example of psyche
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COMMENTARY
Uncovering psychological mechanisms mediating the effects of drugs: some issues and comments using the example of psychedelic drugs Samuli Kangaslampi 1 Received: 30 September 2020 / Accepted: 30 October 2020 # The Author(s) 2020
Abstract Researchers have begun efforts to uncover the psychological mechanisms by which psychedelic drugs may have beneficial effects on long-term outcomes in some circumstances. The approaches several recent publications on the topic have taken to analyze such mechanisms have some pitfalls and limitations. Based on the rich literature on mechanisms and mediation analysis in psychological science, I comment on five particular issues: (1) Separating mediating and moderating factors, (2) problems inherent in using cross-sectional data, (3) statistical methods in mediation analysis, (4) assumptions and limitations inherent in traditional mediation analysis, and (5) criteria beyond mediation to establish a mechanism. Suggested practices for future research on the psychological mechanisms through which drugs have their effects are presented. Keywords Psychopharmacology . Mediation analysis . Mechanism of action . Mechanism of change . Psychedelics
A number of recent publications have explored the possible psychological mechanisms through which classic psychedelics might have effects on final outcomes such as depression and anxiety (Davis et al. 2020; Roseman et al. 2018; Zeifman et al. 2020), well-being (Roseman et al. 2019), positive mood (Forstmann et al. 2020), narcissism (van Mulukom et al. 2020), or partner violence (Thiessen et al. 2018). Such work may be informative and important for understanding and maximizing the therapeutic potential of some of these substances. However, the approaches several of these publications have taken to analyzing mechanisms and paths of effects have some pitfalls and limitations that should be borne in mind when considering their findings and planning future studies on the topic. Statistical mediation and mechanisms through which effects travel have been studied extensively in psychological science. Based on lessons learned and criticisms presented in especially social psychological and psychotherapy research, I comment on five issues related to the way psychological mechanisms of psychedelics are beginning to be studied,
* Samuli Kangaslampi [email protected] 1
Faculty of Social Sciences/Psychology, Tampere University, FI-33014 Tampere, Finland
together with some recommendations for future research. I focus on studies on classic psychedelics as a recent, relevant example, but these observations extend to all studies of the psychological mechanisms through which drugs have effects. First, it would be helpful for authors to distinguish unambiguously whether they are attempting to elucidate mechanisms or pathways that transmit effects on final outcomes, typically through mediation analysis, the boundary conditions and contingencies of effects on final outcomes, typically through moderation analysis, or something else entirely (Hayes and
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