Psychedelics and Mortality: Exploring benefits and risks

Psychedelics are a class of psychoactive drugs that can induce profound changes in perception, thought, and mood. These drugs have a long history of use in spiritual and religious contexts, but also carry significant risks for mental health and mortality. In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, leading to a surge in research and the eventual FDA approval of certain psychedelic compounds for medical use.

Current state of psychedelics research and FDA approval timeline:

Recent research has shown that psychedelics such as psilocybin (found in "magic mushrooms"), LSD, and MDMA have the potential to treat a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction. This research has led to increasing support for the therapeutic use of psychedelics and the eventual FDA approval of certain compounds.

In 2019, the FDA granted "breakthrough therapy" designation to psilocybin for the treatment of depression. This designation is intended to expedite the development and review of drugs for serious or life-threatening conditions. In addition, the FDA has approved ketamine, a dissociative psychedelic, for the treatment of depression and suicidal ideation.

Risks of mental health posed by psychedelic usage and vulnerable groups:

While psychedelics have shown promise in treating mental health conditions, they also carry significant risks for mental health and mortality. Psychedelic use can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and psychosis, particularly in vulnerable groups such as those with a history of mental health issues or trauma.

The risks of psychedelic use are particularly high in unsupervised settings, such as recreational use at parties or festivals. In addition, the risk of adverse effects is greater when using synthetic or adulterated forms of psychedelics, which are common in the illicit drug market.

Use of psychedelics by health group who are seeking a deeper experience of life:

Despite the risks associated with psychedelic use, some individuals seek out these substances for their purported ability to induce spiritual or mystical experiences. These experiences are often described as a sense of interconnectedness with the universe or a profound sense of meaning and purpose in life.

Roland Griffiths, a professor of psychiatry and neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, has conducted extensive research on the use of psilocybin in inducing mystical experiences. In one study, Griffiths and his colleagues found that psilocybin can induce profound and long-lasting changes in personality, attitudes, and behavior in healthy individuals.

Griffiths, in particular, has conducted several landmark studies on the therapeutic potential of psychedelics. In one study, published in 2016, Griffiths and his colleagues found that a single dose of psilocybin can lead to long-lasting improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer patients.

Another study, published in 2018, found that psilocybin can be effective in treating treatment-resistant depression. In this study, patients who received psilocybin treatment showed significant reductions in depression symptoms, with some participants remaining symptom-free for up to five weeks after treatment.

Relationship between psychedelics and meditation:

There is a growing interest in the relationship between psychedelics and meditation, as both practices are thought to induce altered states of consciousness and promote a sense of connection with the world. Some individuals use psychedelics as a means of enhancing their meditation practice, while others use meditation as a way of integrating the insights gained from psychedelic experiences.

Overall, while psychedelics have shown promise in treating mental health conditions and inducing profound experiences, their use carries significant risks for mental health and mortality. It is important for individuals considering psychedelic use to weigh the potential benefits against these risks, and to seek out supervised and safe settings for their use.

References:

Carhart-Harris, R. L., & Goodwin, G. M. (2017). The therapeutic potential of psychedelic drugs: past, present, and future. Neuropsychopharmacology, 42(11), 2105-2113.

Garcia-Romeu, A., Davis, A. K., Erowid, E., Erowid, F., Griffiths, R. R., & Johnson, M. W. (2019). Cessation and reduction in alcohol consumption and misuse after psychedelic use. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 33(9), 1088-1101.

Johnson, M. W., Richards, W. A., & Griffiths, R. R. (2008). Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology, 22(6), 603-620.

Nichols, D. E. (2016). Psychedelics. Pharmacological Reviews, 68(2), 264-355.

Sessa, B. (2017). The history of psychedelics in medicine. In The Science of Psychedelics (pp. 1-14). Springer, Cham.