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The latest research, learnings, and insight on mental health.
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The latest research, learnings, and insight on mental health.
The use of psychedelics is not a new phenomenon. For millennia, indigenous cultures have used various plants and fungi to induce altered states of consciousness for religious and healing purposes1. Modern psychedelic research began when Albert Hofmann first synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25) in 1938. The use of psychedelics gained popularity in the 1950s and 1960s, as they were thought to offer a glimpse into a world beyond our ordinary consciousness.
However, psychedelic use soon became associated with the counterculture movement, and the U.S. government's response was to launch the War on Drugs. This resulted in a prolonged period where all research on psychedelics was halted. However, we are seeing a resurgence of science and mainstream interest in psychedelics now, with promising research and clinical outcomes for mental health.
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that alter perception, thought, and mood. The most well-known psychedelics include LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide), psilocybin (found in "magic mushrooms"), and DMT (dimethyltryptamine), a potent compound found in the Amazonian brew, ayahuasca. The earliest evidence of psychedelic use can be found in a cave painting depicting mushroom use.2 The Mazatec people of Oaxaca, Mexico, have been using psilocybin-containing mushrooms for divinatory purposes for centuries. Indigenous cultures discovered psychedelics through trial, error, and knowledge sharing while surveying the land for resources.
Modern psychedelic culture started in the 1950s and 60s when people began exploring the use of psychoactive substances like LSD, psilocybin, and mescaline for spiritual and therapeutic purposes. The counterculture movement in the United States during this time played a significant role in promoting the use of psychedelics.3 In the mid-20th century, Western scientists became interested in the potential of psychedelics to treat mental illness and enhance creativity. In the 1950s and 1960s, a number of studies were conducted on the use of psychedelics to treat depression, anxiety, and addiction. These studies showed promising results, but they were often poorly designed, lacked proper controls, and had small sample sizes.
In the late 1960s, the use of psychedelics became associated with the counterculture movement, and their use was viewed as a threat to the social order. In 1970, the US government passed the Controlled Substances Act, which classified psychedelics as Schedule I drugs, the most restrictive category reserved for drugs with no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse.
The criminalization of psychedelics effectively stopped scientific research to understand their potential therapeutic benefits. However, in recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in studying the medical potential of psychedelics, with several clinical trials showing promising results.4
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics. In 2018, the FDA granted breakthrough therapy designation for psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression, and several clinical trials are currently underway.5 As a result, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) granted Breakthrough Therapy designation to psilocybin-assisted therapy from Compass Pathways for patients with treatment-resistant depression (TRD). This marks the second time the FDA has granted breakthrough designation for psilocybin.6
Other studies, such as for anxiety and depression in cancer patients, have shown promising results.7 You can read more about such research in Using psychedelics for mental health.
The potential of psychedelics in mental health and medicine is significant, but much more research is needed to fully understand their effects and how they can be used safely and effectively. While early studies are promising, more rigorous clinical trials are needed to establish the safety and efficacy of these substances.
Psychedelics may also have a role to play in spiritual and personal growth, as they have been reported to induce profound mystical experiences that can lead to a greater sense of connectedness, empathy, and openness. These experiences may also help individuals confront and process past traumas, leading to long-lasting improvements in mental health and well-being.
A main reason why we don't know more about the potential of psychedelics is because of the stigma and criminalization that has surrounded their use. This has made it difficult for scientists to conduct research and for patients to access these treatments. However, there is hope in the coming years with the recent shift in attitudes towards psychedelics and the growing body of scientific evidence supporting their medical potential.
Psychedelics have a rich history of use in indigenous cultures for religious and healing purposes, and in the mid-20th century, Western scientists became interested in their potential therapeutic benefits. However, the criminalization of psychedelics in the 1970s essentially stopped scientific research into their potential uses. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in studying the medical potential of psychedelics, with several clinical trials showing promising results in the treatment of depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health conditions.
While the potential of psychedelics in medicine and mental health is significant, more research is needed to fully understand their effects and how they can be used safely and effectively. The recent shift in attitudes towards psychedelics offers hope that this research will continue, and that these substances may one day be used to help millions of people around the world who suffer from mental illness and other health conditions.
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Cover photo by Damir Omerović on Unsplash
