Scientists Rethink Psychedelics As Attitudes Change Toward Formerly Illicit Drugs

“The irony. The generation who brought psychedelic drugs to the attention of the world, may just be the ones who use them as medicine to treat anxiety and depression or simply to face death.

But while researchers around the world are looking at some formerly illicit drugs in a new way, they’re doing it with caution. They still contend that while initial findings may be encouraging, research is at an early stage and patients should never attempt to self-medicate.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University recently suggested that the FDA’s classification for psilocybin— the psychoactive compound that occurs naturally in hallucinogenic or magic mushrooms—be changed from a Schedule I drug, which has no known medical benefit, to a Schedule IV drug, which is similar to conventional prescription drugs…” Continue reading