Psychedelics for Mental Illness: Exploring Possibilities - Essay Sample

Introduction

The possibility of psychedelics in treating mental illness, including PTSD, addiction, depression, and anxiety, among other disorders, continues to be the leading research topic for most psychologists and mental health researchers. Psychedelics have been classified as Schedule 1 drugs meaning the government considers them as drugs without any acceptable medicinal benefit and one, which can be highly abused (Belouin and Henningfield 9). According to research, psychedelics exhibit an immense assurance in treating mental diseases (Belouin and Henningfield 2). Hence, the United States government ought to review its policies and legalize the use of psychedelics in the mental health care sector.

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Back in the 1960s, psychedelics were legal and primarily seen as a promising area for psychological exploration (Richert and Erika 2). However, years later, social and political breezes started moving so radically that the country went into turmoil over these substances. In around 1965, the administration restricted the assembling and sale of every single psychedelic, and up to date, the firms producing these medications stopped manufacturing (Richert and Erika 3).

Currently, there are several hindrances to the advancement of nontraditional therapies and psychedelics, including their previous accounts of abuse and societal trepidations, and in certain instances, challenges for blatant protection that might discourage great stakeholders. Luckily, the FDA has strategies, which could enable seriously ill patients that have not responded to modern therapies to receive treatment with drugs, which have not yet been legalized (Belouin and Henningfield 5).

The drugs are remarkably harmless for the majority of individuals apart from those with a genetic predisposition for severe psychological disorders or underlying heart conditions (Byock 2). They are not addictive nor toxic, as many would claim. When these drugs, including LSD, DMT, and psilocybin, are correctly administered, patients would only have to use them once or twice to get their health back to normal or under control ((Belouin and Henningfield 5). A safe environment, and the right preparation and dosage aid in reducing the possibility of being frightened since the drugs can be disorienting at times. The thing is, individuals using psychedelics may be dealing with confusion, guilt, or grief, but the drug can be powerfully effective within a short time.

Research has shown that psilocybin could be beneficial to cancer patients exhibiting mental illnesses, or those with depression or anxiety and have not yet shown improvement from other treatment ((Belouin and Henningfield 5). For instance, cancer patients who receive this form of treatment show less anxiety and depression (Byock 2).

Continuous deterioration in psychological well-being represents a critical existential risk inside the US whose effect is currently being perceived. Our country's budget pivots decisively on enthusiastic leading competitive organizations whose establishment relies on the individuals who withstand them. Psychological illnesses have no limits; they crosscut every demographic; sparing no financial class; permeating all societies; and impose their weakening impacts on laborers extending to their families, production sector, and service providers. Henceforth, the United States, as well as other countries, donors, and research institutions ought to work together to boost every phase of research and treatment in this industry.

The most persuading thought so far is letting individuals take psychedelics in a controlled setting, where different members can be looked out for via prepared managers who guarantee the experience does not go inadequately (Marks 130). Another strategy is using a potential framework where individuals can, in the end, graduate to utilizing the medication on their own. If done accurately, this would boost the ideal results and limit the most terrible. Authorities can aid in forestalling mishaps, and they could guide individuals through bad and good excursions, allowing patients to unwind and get something significant from experience (Marks 131). Unfortunately, there are potential dangers to the controlled set. If a mental health practitioner is ineffectively prepared or malignant, it could prompt a horrendous trip, which could intensify an individual's psychological state. That is the reason licensing, and regulations are vital in getting the thought precisely (Marks 130). Psychedelics ought to be sold over the counter; this would reduce the black market. Meaning, the number of clients who get these drugs from a reliable source would rise. Hence, it might soon be the ideal opportunity for the US to contemplate making psychedelics legal for the good of its citizens.

The American government ought to lessen the strict legal barriers against research and treatment with psychedelics. Numerous research realizes the significant therapeutic impacts primarily held by these drugs. It is due time for the government to follow suit. The longer it delays to offer help and uphold administrative hurdles, the longer it ultimately poses risks to many patients in the country. Hallucinogenic medications such as LSD saturated into the American culture during the 1960s, and the outcomes were blended in the best-case scenario. They undoubtedly transformed the way of life, yet they eventually left behind a draconian drug law and a social repercussion, which pushed psychedelic drugs underground. However, today a resurgence is in progress. At establishments including the New York University and John Hopkins University, scientific experiments investigating psilocybin as a treatment for anxiety disorders, drug addiction, and drug-resistant depression are yielding positive outcomes (Marlan 853). It is with the hope that from these results, the government will open its eyes and at least see to it timely legalization of psychedelics in every state.

Works Cited

Belouin, Sean J., and Jack E. Henningfield. "Psychedelics: Where we are now, why we got here, what we must do." Neuropharmacology, vol. 142, 2018, pp.7-19 doi:10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.02.018

Byock, Ira. "Taking psychedelics seriously." Journal of palliative medicine, vol. 21, no. 4, 2018, pp.417-421. Doi:10.1089/jpm.2017.0684

Marks, Mason. "Psychedelic Medicine for Mental Illness and Substance Use Disorders: Overcoming Social and Legal Obstacles." NYUJ Legis. & Pub. Pol'y, vol. 21, no. 69, 2018, pp.69-140. https://www.nyujlpp.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/06/Legis-21-1-Article-Marks-PsychedelicMedicineMentalIllness.pdf

Marlan, Dustin. "Beyond Cannabis: Psychedelic Decriminalization and Social Justice." Lewis & Clark L. Rev., vol. 23, 2019, pp.851. https://law.lclark.edu/live/files/28626-lcb233article3marlanwebsitepdf

Richert, Lucas, and Erika Dyck. "Psychedelic crossings: American mental health and LSD in the 1970s." Medical Humanities, (2019): medhum-2018. Doi: 10.1136/medhum-2018-011593