The majority of our readers must have always hated the idea of recreational drug abuse and obviously despised the clever drug dealers. But let me tell you straight that many drugs that are abused by addicts, hippies, and criminals are being pumped into the medicinal world as a cure for pathological psychiatric illnesses. Especially the psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine have gained positive fame and have been successfully used to a large extent as remedies for issues like depression, PTSD, and anxiety.
This is not to say that anyone should get these drugs and abuse them to get those benefits; these psychoactive substances have to be administered in a controlled environment under the focused guidance of professionals. And in many parts of our evolving world, mental health experts and scientists are sweating it out to get the best treatments for the public.
The Historical Context
Modern psychedelic-assisted therapies draw inspiration from ancient times when psilocybin and ayahuasca were used on the American continent for healing and spiritual rituals. LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) became massively popular from its moment of invention. LSD gained huge popularity after it got associated with famed rockstars like Jimi Hendrix and Jim Morrison. Its effects were intensely studied by scientists and philosophers. Then MDMA and psilocybin started to float around in the modern world, getting abused by their users. Since then, a lot has happened in the world of these hallucinogens, a love-hate relationship.
The New Age of Hallucinogens
There have been clinical trials going on in various parts of the world regarding the curative side of psychedelics. The FDA granted breakthrough therapy status to psilocybin and MDMA for the treatment of PTSD and depression, thus promoting more research and approval processes. Many researchers eagerly wait for government approvals to conduct impactful studies that could benefit society. Psychedelic-assisted therapy showed marked improvement in patients having treatment-resistant depression and anxiety within seconds of administration.
The use of ketamine showed a huge fall in depression traits when used on patients suffering from depression. Ketamine is available in the form of a nasal spray as well. Another peculiar effect of psychoactive substances is “ego dissolution,” where the person feels a sense of unity with the world, and this feeling accompanies a rush of relaxation. Psychedelic usage renders emotional breakthroughs and provides an experience of receiving insightful knowledge about self and others.
An important point is that all the hallucinogens are non-addictive and give profound results in very small amounts. There is also a wave of microdosing where the substance is taken in really tiny quantities, offering creativity and concentration. Regulated use of psychedelics is on the rise, and I wish India is soon a part of this positive movement.
The Road Ahead
Psychedelics have definitely been a sad reason for youngsters spoiling their lives and ending it all. But with new experimentation at a highly professional level, we are getting results that promise a positive impact of these drugs on human life. With great results in curing complex psychological issues, we are now utilizing the power of these drugs in a really pragmatic way. This is truly an example where medical science can compete with its progress in the tech world. Psychedelics have the potential to transform mental health treatment globally. The common popular saying that “everything has a positive side” is true.
