5 ms·

What are the downsides of legalizing Psilocybin and/or using it for treating depression?

pstuart 8y ago
Disclaimer: I'm pro-legalization. I think the only downside of legalizing it will be increasing the number of users, and therefor the number of possible bad trips/stupid actions while high. Being that we let ~88K die in the US due to alcohol, I think we can handle that a couple dozen misadventures from shrooms as well.
- seandoe 8y ago
  I think psilocybin is a great drug to test legalization and it's effect on recreational usage. If I had to guess, I think there would be an initial increase in psilocybin use. Though, over time I think it would decrease back to a number slightly more than today. More than just usage, it would be interesting to see its impact on crime, dui, 'addiction', etc. Just maybe this would lead to a more rational view of drug use and further drug legalization.
  - pstuart 8y ago
    > test legalization and it's effect on recreational usage I'd assume that we have a lot of data with cannabis now. I'm guessing that it is a significant net win. Drug use is so demonized that it will take a lot of time and easily messaged education to change that.
ogoldhill 8y ago
At the moment, there's nowhere near enough research yet to know the potential downsides of using psilocybin to treat depression. So far, there's only been one study with 19 participants and no control group. It could be hugely successful or, as with any drug, it could come with possible side effects.
- sk5t 8y ago
  What would be the scientific usefulness of a control group? It's my understanding that the effect could not reasonably be confused with placebo. There are plenty of other studies on treatment of depression; although, there is always the slight risk of a general societal upwelling of good feelings or its complement.
  - ogoldhill 8y ago
    Psilocybin treatment is given in a therapist's office in conjunction with therapy so, yes, there could well be very positive effects for patients having that therapy experience with a placebo.
- pbhjpbhj 8y ago
  Only one study on psilocybin? Globally? Ever? That's kinda amazing; not even studies in v long-term [mental] health of [former] users? Edit: Google Scholar shows hundreds of studies, one on the first page (for me) has >700 citations.
  - achileas 8y ago
    On humans using regular consumption? Such research is notoriously hard to get funding and materials for - much easier on animal models, in the US at least. There's a reason much of the current research (which is still too little) into psychedelics is done outside the US.
    - ddoolin 8y ago
      Can the U.S. (or companies/groups/organizations) within use those outside studies to justify things like this? Or is there some requirement that they be conducted here?
  - ogoldhill 8y ago
    One study on psilocybin as a treatment for depression! Not on psilocybin overall. Link to the one existing study is in my article.

Disclaimer: I'm pro-legalization. I think the only downside of legalizing it will be increasing the number of users, and therefor the number of possible bad trips/stupid actions while high. Being that we let ~88K die in the US due to alcohol, I think we can handle that a couple dozen misadventures from shrooms as well.

seandoe 8y ago
I think psilocybin is a great drug to test legalization and it's effect on recreational usage. If I had to guess, I think there would be an initial increase in psilocybin use. Though, over time I think it would decrease back to a number slightly more than today. More than just usage, it would be interesting to see its impact on crime, dui, 'addiction', etc. Just maybe this would lead to a more rational view of drug use and further drug legalization.
- pstuart 8y ago
  > test legalization and it's effect on recreational usage I'd assume that we have a lot of data with cannabis now. I'm guessing that it is a significant net win. Drug use is so demonized that it will take a lot of time and easily messaged education to change that.

ogoldhill 8y ago

At the moment, there's nowhere near enough research yet to know the potential downsides of using psilocybin to treat depression. So far, there's only been one study with 19 participants and no control group. It could be hugely successful or, as with any drug, it could come with possible side effects.

sk5t 8y ago
What would be the scientific usefulness of a control group? It's my understanding that the effect could not reasonably be confused with placebo. There are plenty of other studies on treatment of depression; although, there is always the slight risk of a general societal upwelling of good feelings or its complement.
- ogoldhill 8y ago
  Psilocybin treatment is given in a therapist's office in conjunction with therapy so, yes, there could well be very positive effects for patients having that therapy experience with a placebo.
pbhjpbhj 8y ago
Only one study on psilocybin? Globally? Ever? That's kinda amazing; not even studies in v long-term [mental] health of [former] users? Edit: Google Scholar shows hundreds of studies, one on the first page (for me) has >700 citations.
- achileas 8y ago
  On humans using regular consumption? Such research is notoriously hard to get funding and materials for - much easier on animal models, in the US at least. There's a reason much of the current research (which is still too little) into psychedelics is done outside the US.
  - ddoolin 8y ago
    Can the U.S. (or companies/groups/organizations) within use those outside studies to justify things like this? Or is there some requirement that they be conducted here?
- ogoldhill 8y ago
  One study on psilocybin as a treatment for depression! Not on psilocybin overall. Link to the one existing study is in my article.