Have you ever wondered why psychedelics are illegal in most countries around the world? It seems kind of strange, doesn’t it? After all, these substances have been used for thousands of years for spiritual and therapeutic purposes. So, why the bad rep?
Well, the truth is, psychedelics have been demonized by the media and the government for decades. During the 1960s, many young people were experimenting with LSD and other psychedelics, which caused a moral panic among the older generation. They believed that these substances were dangerous and would corrupt the minds of young people.
This led to the enactment of harsh drug laws, including the Controlled Substances Act of 1970, which classified psychedelics as Schedule I substances. This classification means that they have no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse. But here’s the thing โ this classification is simply not accurate.
Psychedelics are illegal not because a loving government is concerned that you may jump out of a third-story window. Psychedelics are illegal because they dissolve opinion structures and culturally laid down models of behaviour and information processing. They open you up to the possibility that everything you know is wrong. ~ Terence Mckenna
There is now a growing body of research that shows that psychedelics can be used to treat a variety of mental health disorders, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. This is great news for anyone who has struggled with these conditions and has not found relief from traditional treatments.
For example, a recent study conducted at Imperial College London found that a single dose of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, led to significant improvements in mood and anxiety in patients with treatment-resistant depression. Another study conducted at Johns Hopkins University found that psilocybin can help people quit smoking by reducing cravings and increasing motivation.
But wait, there’s more! A study conducted at New York University found that psilocybin can help people overcome alcohol addiction by increasing their sense of purpose and reducing their desire to drink.
It’s not just psilocybin either. MDMA, also known as ecstasy, has been shown to help people with PTSD by reducing fear and increasing trust. And LSD has been shown to help people with anxiety by increasing their sense of well-being and reducing their sense of being overwhelmed.
So, with all of this promising research, why are psychedelics still illegal? Well, one reason is the stigma surrounding these substances. Many people still believe that psychedelics are dangerous and that anyone who uses them is a hippie or a drug addict. This is simply not true.
Unlike many other drugs, psychedelics are not physically addictive and are generally considered safe when used in a controlled setting. In fact, many people who use psychedelics report feeling a sense of awe and reverence for the experience and are more likely to approach these substances with respect and caution.
Another reason why psychedelics are illegal is due to their potential for abuse. While it’s true that psychedelics can be misused, the risks associated with these substances are often overstated. In fact, the risk of overdose is extremely low, and there have been no reported deaths from LSD or psilocybin.
Furthermore, many proponents of psychedelics argue that the risks associated with these substances are outweighed by their potential benefits. The therapeutic benefits of psychedelics are well-documented, and there is evidence that these substances can help people overcome a variety of mental health disorders.
So, what can we do to change the stigma surrounding psychedelics and work towards making them legal? Well, for starters, we need to educate people about the potential benefits of these substances. We also need to advocate for more research into their therapeutic uses and work towards changing the laws that currently make it difficult to study these substances.
