Research
Death by suicide has risen at an alarming rate, becoming the second leading cause of death for the age group 10-34. With treatment-resistant depression also on the rise, the statistics are dismal, but not surprising. There has been a lot of research into a possible treatment; however. The results have led to groups, such as Decriminalize Nature Oakland, pushing for decriminalization and possible legalization of psilocybin, a compound found in psychedelic mushrooms.
In October 2018, the FDA gave psilocybin-containing mushrooms a “breakthrough therapy” designation, allowing scientists to work alongside the FDA to study the effects on human test subjects. Researchers at Johns Hopkins, who have been studying psychedelic use for over 15 years and have published over 50 scientific papers on the subject, were surprised that the designation came as quickly as it did, but hoped that this was a sign of good things to come.
Psychedelics are beneficial in several ways, such as helping people to quit smoking, aiding with depression and anxiety, especially for patients undergoing cancer treatments, and increasing the general sense of well-being, even in healthy subjects.
One possible reason psychedelics work the way they do is the way they reroute information streams in the brain. If signals get backed up, negative thoughts tend to increase. Instead of letting them pile up in a traffic jam, psychedelics open up mostly unused pathways and allow the backed-up signals to flow easily again.
Unlike many other drugs, mushrooms are virtually impossible to become addicted to. When tested for dependency on other drugs, rats would push the lever that dropped the drug over and over to receive more, but would only push once when given psilocybin. Daily use is practically impossible, and even weekly use is rare. In the case of microdosing, which I’ll discuss more below, the dose isn’t high enough to alter your awareness or affect your day-to-day life.
Legislating Psychedelic Mushrooms
In October 2018, Johns Hopkins petitioned to change the classification of psychedelics from Schedule 1 to Schedule 4. The Schedule 1 designation indicates that the drug is highly damaging with no potential medical uses, while a Schedule 4 drug is regulated, but recognized as having medical benefits.
May 2019 saw a historic moment when Denver, Colorado, decriminalized psilocybin-containing psychedelic mushrooms with a narrow win. Just about a month later, Oakland, California, followed suit with a unanimous vote. There are more bills in the works, with sights set on California and Oregon decriminalizing psychedelic mushrooms statewide.
Based on years of research, psychedelic mushrooms show a lot of promise in the medical field, if used properly. However, more research is needed; therefore, a bill was proposed to open the gates for studying hallucinogens. With their current classification as a Schedule 1 drug, research potential is minimal.
Critics of legislation mostly call for oversight when psychedelics are used, fearing legalization would lead to a profit-based push, encouraging people who shouldn’t be using these drugs to try them. A solution to this would likely involve clinics set up to administer dosages and monitor patients throughout the experience, guiding them and helping to provide a safe, peaceful environment.
Almost all supporters of legalization want education to be part of the deal, as psychedelics aren’t for everyone and do carry a certain amount of risk. Having a sober guide present for safety and to aid in the event of a “bad trip” is essential, and this would be easily arranged through the previously suggested clinics. Having licensed therapists at the clinics could boost the positive results even more, as they’d be better able to help patients process their experience and gain deeper insight.
Microdosing Pyschedelic Mushrooms
For over 50 years, Dr James Fadiman has been researching psychedelics, including psilocybin. He’s done many studies, but for the last several years, he has turned his focus toward “microdosing” — taking a dose so low it doesn’t cause a typical psychedelic experience. Over the years, he’s created a regimen he uses in his studies, in which the amount taken is one-tenth or one-fifth that of a typical one, taken every third day in the morning.
According to him, the effects are felt fully on the first day, slightly on the second, and not on the third. On the fourth day, the cycle is restarted. This is continued for a month, then spaced out even more as time progresses. This regimen is said to “rebalance people,” or help them reconnect with their bodies.
Dr. Fadiman reported that his test subjects often stated they had a general boost to happiness and sense of well-being after they had followed his microdosing regimen. Increased focus and decreased anxiety and depression were the most common results. Still, some reported gaining some relief from some other issues as well, such as stuttering and intense period pain.
Research into microdosing has been limited since the mid-1960s, due to the FDA banning psychedelics and deeming them Schedule 1 drugs. As such, the push for decriminalization and legalization is partially to enable more research into both full-dose and microdosing.
Cautions
Some critics argue that while they support decriminalization, they’re afraid legalization will lead to more problems. Carrying and use shouldn’t come with jail time, but they’re worried that legalization will lead to businesses springing up with psychedelics as a focus.
While there have been several people who have raised fears regarding promoting psychedelic use, their focus has been on the need to get education out there. Family history or predispositions to mental illnesses such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorders are things to be aware of, as using psychedelics increases the possibility of activating certain dormant mental disorders.
One of the most common concerns regarding psychedelics is the possibility of a “bad trip,” which can lead to aggression, fear, and paranoia. While 76% of people analyzed stated that, after the fact, their “bad” trips led to a general increased feeling of well-being, there have been reports of aggression and suicidal thoughts during the ordeal.
Studies show that psychedelic mushrooms have the potential to help people who suffer from various ailments, but additional research is needed to establish their effectiveness. Amidst the discussions of the benefits of psychedelics, valid concerns have been expressed about the potential ramifications of legalization and widespread use. Studies suggest, however, that those concerns are addressable with proper precautions, like the clinics proposed and an increase in factual education.
What are your thoughts on the sweeping request for psychedelics to be reevaluated for their medical potential? Do you think they have any merit? Do you think the clinics are necessary?
Studies:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5813086