While many remember the 2020 Presidential election, people often forget the smaller decisions that can decide major issues. One such debate occurred in Oregon, where a majority of voters cast ballots for a referendum decriminalizing all drugs. This type of law could have major consequences, such as the multiple benefits stemming from marijuana use in health fields everywhere from joint pain to autism. Notably, psychedelics such as LSD and “magic” mushrooms have been shown in studies to provide significant health benefits.
Over a dozen states have legalized marijuana for medical use, and the drug proved in trials that it could provide relief for numerous maladies. However these trials happen to be much larger in scale than normal, not to mention that more people disapprove of psychedelics use than of cannabis. The reason for this, would be the generalized mental issues stemming from the brain altering effects of psychedelics. Yet, in the few major studies from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology on the subject, the results seem to contradict this.
According to Rich Haridy, a columnist for NewAtlas, “ the potential for psychedelic drugs such as LSD and psilocybin to confer potent anti-depressant effects has been demonstrated across a number of recent clinical trials. Psilocybin in particular has proved promising enough in this area for the FDA to give it Breakthrough Therapy status on two occasions over the past 12 months .” Haridy furthers, saying that the brain receptors affected by Psilocybin and other such drugs not only help cognitive function, but interruptions to these processes have reduced early symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease.
This seems to be a major medical breakthrough, as current medications deemed effective to treat Alzheimer’s do not yet exist. Further trials on drugs in these areas, psychedelics in particular, could yield positive results that may improve the lives of millions that suffer from brain illnesses.
According to a HarrisX/The Hill poll from June of last year, 35% of voters said psychedelic substances such as mushrooms have medical effects, and 53% of people aged 18-29 agreed.
While many people can rightfully say that they may be skeptical of the results, the growing consensus around psychedelics comes on the heels of fact based and peer reviewed research. The possibility arises of distinct health benefits coming from medical use of the drugs.
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