Is “Tripping” a Safe MH Journey Now, or Do We Need to Know More?
New methods of mental health treatment now include the use of psychedelic therapy, but what may be the unstated consequences?
Mental well-being is important, and although medication can be beneficial, many of the current ones available may not be effective for everyone. When treatments don't work for a disorder, patients and researchers seek new methods that could be useful. In addition to brain-stimulating devices, psychedelics are an ancient method now gaining attention as a potential solution for those in need.
Psychedelics have a long history, and some people still go to remote jungle areas to experiment with these mind-altering substances.
In terms of human knowledge of psychopharmacological drugs, psychedelics may be the most ancient. Hallucinogens may have been used in religious rituals as early as 2,000 years ago, according to historical records. The Olmec, Zapotec, Maya, and Aztec civilizations in Mesoamerica used psychoactive plants frequently.
The number of psychedelics, both known and undiscovered by science, may be infinite. So far, researchers have delineated the substances into three categories: dissociative (such as phencyclidine and ketamine), classic psychedelics (LSD), and entactogens (such as MDMA).
