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Tuesday, Feb 18, 2025
Mugglehead Investment Magazine
Alternative investment news based in Vancouver, B.C.

Psychedelics

Psychedelic drugs for therapy: history, effectiveness, legal status

The Department of Veteran Affairs, or VA, is quietly working on getting ecstasy approved for therapeutic use

There is a significant increase in interest in using psychedelics to treat mental health disorders. Image credit: Heung Soon

The history and use of psychedelic drugs have been known as turbulent and chaotic, but one thing’s for sure: It is a fascinating story.

While more cities and states have started to explore psychedelics for therapy, the Department of Veteran Affairs, or VA, is quietly working on getting the drug MDMA, otherwise known as ecstasy, approved for the treatment of mental health disorders. 

With over 150 medical facilities, the VA is the largest integrated healthcare system in the U.S. It recently launched a “Psychedelic Charter” whose goal is to develop a comprehensive strategy for the deployment of FDA-approved psychedelic drugs to treat patients with severe mental health disorders. 

That’s quite an irony, as psychedelics were first used to do precisely that. However, the drugs, originally intended for psychiatric use, were abused so heavily that they were demonized for decades. The recent renewed interest has brought psychedelics into a full circle. Therefore, today, their scientific research and use are legal, albeit strictly controlled, in many cities and states. 

How did this happen, do they actually work, and where does this leave us?

What are psychedelics?

Psychedelics belong to a class of drugs called hallucinogens, which are powerful, psychoactive drugs that can alter your sense of reality, sense of taste, smell, sight, and your perception of time. 

Although there are many available, the three most common are LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), MDMA (methylenedioxymethamphetamine, otherwise known as ecstasy), and psilocybin, the compound found in hallucinogenic mushrooms. 

All three are currently listed under Schedule I drugs according to the Controlled Substances Act, which means they aren’t recognized for any medicinal uses yet have a high potential for abuse. 

Psychedelic mushrooms

Psychedelic mushrooms. Photo via Wikimedia Commons/Cannabis Pictures

The history of psychedelics

The use of psychedelic substances for medicinal and spiritual purposes goes back thousands of years. From indigenous communities using natural substances like mushrooms containing psilocybin to peyote and ayahuasca, these ancient practices were deeply ingrained in the culture of many. 

It wasn’t until 1938 when Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann synthesized LSD and five years later, became the first person to ingest it and experience its powerful effects, albeit accidentally. Interest in the drug grew and in 1953, a psychiatrist called Humphrey Osmond began successfully prescribing LSD to people with what is now known as AUD, or Alcohol Use Disorder. 

This got the ball rolling and in the 1950s and ’60s, psychedelic research and interest in the drug was well under way to explore its efficacy in treating psychiatric disorders. Concurrently, psilocybin was discovered in the mountains of Mexico and the world of psychedelics was poised to explode. 

However, popular counter-cultural movements were soon embracing the drug for its powerful psychoactive effects. Recreational use shot through the roof and concerns over the safety and potential of abuse rose rapidly. This led to the drug being declared illegal in 1970 and placed in the Schedule I category. This is the same category as MDMA, psilocybin, marijuana, and heroin. 

Today, there is a renewed interest in psychedelic treatment. Certain states and cities have approved them for medical use and research. 

Read more: Can psychedelics help with chronic pain?

Read more: U.S. invests millions in psychedelics research to treat chronic pain in older adults

Effectiveness of psychedelic therapy

Psychiatric disorders are on the rise and governments and health organizations are increasingly concerned. Although research is still limited, several studies show the potential of psychedelics in treating severe disorders. 

For example, MDMA has shown promise in modulating brain connectivity and might help with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, or PTSD. This is precisely what is leading the VA to lobby for ecstasy to be approved to treat their patients who suffer from extreme cases of PTSD and have a high risk of suicide. 

In addition, psilocybin and LSD have shown positive results in treatments for mental conditions such as end-of-life distress, severe depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and alcohol addiction. 

While more clinical studies are necessary, early trials show promising results in using psychedelics as an unconventional, yet effective treatment, especially in severe disorders. 

Legal status 

Psychedelics are still federally illegal and there are strict penalties for their possession and use. However, certain cities and states have authorized its use, although under strict control. 

For example, in 2022, Colorado legalized the use of hallucinogenic mushrooms and other psychedelics. The state aims to open licensed medical facilities by the end of 2024. The following year, Oregon opened its first psilocybin service center, allowing patients over 21 to take mushrooms in a state-licensed facility under medical supervision. 

California also legalized the use and possession of mushrooms although the bill is under scrutiny. In total, 20 states announced plans for psychedelic legislation. Plans range from establishing research councils to legalizing the use and possession altogether. 

Whether psychedelics will eventually be approved federally for medical use remains to be seen. It is a long, complicated road ahead for these potent, yet promisingly effective drugs. 

 

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