In recent years, there has been a trend towards increased use of AI in the context of psychedelic therapy. Moreover, the combination of these two trends raises both interest and concern among experts.
The Rise of AI in Psychedelic Therapy
Many individuals have begun using AI for psychological support, driven by the high costs and limited availability of professional therapists. For instance, OpenAI co-founder Ilya Sutskever commented in 2023 about a future where AI offers effective and affordable therapeutic solutions. Additionally, the demand for psychedelics is growing, as they show promising results in treating depression, PTSD, and addictions. Some U.S. cities have even started to legalize psychedelic therapy.
Risks of Replacing Therapists with AI
Experts warn that AI cannot replace a live therapist. During a professional session, the therapist minimally intervenes, allowing the client to dive deeper into their experiences. In contrast, AI is designed for active engagement and may inadequately respond to serious emotional states. For instance, when a user under the influence of psychedelics declared that he was dead, the AI responded: 'You seem to have difficult feelings after death.' This type of support can exacerbate dangerous states.
Scientific Approaches to AI and Psychedelics
Research on integrating AI and psychedelics is being conducted by several leading institutions. For instance, the McGill Center for Psychedelic Research and Therapy uses AI to optimize treatment protocols, and Imperial College London has developed the MyDelica mobile app for data analysis. Private companies such as Atai Life Sciences and Wavepaths are also applying AI to create new molecules and adapt music to the patient's emotional state.
While the use of AI in psychedelic therapy continues to grow, it is essential to proceed with caution. Experts emphasize that a thorough understanding of human emotions and states cannot be achieved without the involvement of qualified professionals.
