Psychedelics = Psychological help?
The summer of 2019 was the first time I got practically introduced to the world of psychedelics. A friend of mine happened to have a tab of LSD and, being young and willing to try new things out, we decided to take it. It was like nothing else. We had both read a lot about psychedelics and knew exactly what the effects would be — hallucinations, altered perception of time, disconnection from reality, but experiencing them firsthand was astonishing. We felt more connected with each other, with the world, with ourselves.
This experience stuck in my head — especially the days after that. I could feel the world more vibrant, i could read people based on the energy they radiated, I was more in touch with my inner self. I was understanding of the world around me. I have been thinking about that experience ever since. I have noticed that people’s attitudes towards psychedelics are often negative and I suppose this is due to their lack of knowledge on the beneficial qualities they have and their use in treating mental illnesses. There is a stigma around the use of psychedelics, which, in my opinion, is misguided.
I am aware that the vast majority of people, especially elders, get utterly irritated and even repelled when psychedelic drugs are mentioned. “Drugs are bad, you’ll go crazy,” they will often say. I would suggest that the reasoning behind their thoughts is the fact that for a variety of people drugs are often done in the streets. People mostly take them to escape reality, to feel excitement or happiness, to experience something beyond their ordinary lives. This reality “escape” is one of the reasons why a lot of people believe that psychedelic drugs are addictive. However, this is not the case, as they do not alter the chemistry of the brain the way other substances like nicotine do, for example.
Psychedelic drugs like psilocybin (found in “magic” mushrooms) have supposedly been used for hundreds of centuries (dating back to 9000 B.C.) and their usage to improve the psychological wellbeing of humans is well-known not only to Native American and Mexican tribes, but also to people who are interested psychedelic substances. Although the drug has been widespread, little research had been done until the middle of the past century. Then, when psychedelics were made illegal internationally in the 1970s, the topic became taboo.
However, in recent years scientists are beginning to look into the importance of psychedelics for treatment of mental illnesses. A recent clinical study by Robin Carhart-Harris found that five of all twelve participants in the study group no longer suffered depressive episodes only three months after treatments with psilocybin. LSD has also been proven to treat alcohol addiction, as well as depression and anxiety. The drug, of course, is to be used under the surveillance of medical officials. Although people might think that the effects of the drug may wear off after some time, i do not think it is true. The psychedelic treatment affects not only the brain, but it also changes the way people perceive the world, others, themselves — and this does not wear off that easily.
Drugs, however, can be harmful, especially when their usage is not monitored. Under medical surveillance and with the proper dosage, however, they can help treat not only depression and PTSD, but also addictions. Here is where I would like to mention that, yes, we did not do it under medical conditions and, yes, it was not entirely correct. However, I fully realize that if we had done it with the presence of medical officials, it would have been an even more enlightening and healing experience.
More research is to be done on the topic — there are still uncertainties about to what extend these drugs improve the mental wellbeing of people. I believe that people should be more educated about the benefits of psychedelics and more research should be done to explore the field. Apart from that the topic should be explored more openly, so that people realize that only the recreational use of psychedelics can be harmful. It could lead to psychosis, overdose and further mental illnesses. I am more than glad that such things didn’t happen to my friend and me. We only experienced the good parts of psychedelics, but it could have gone the wrong direction at any moment. This is why I believe that only under medical surveillance is it okay to use psychedelics.
Drugs are good, but only when they are done right.
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Teodora Zlateva is a student at the American University in Bulgaria. She believes that psychedelics can be life-changing, when taken with caution.
