I was interested in the claim that external environment is largely predictive of whether psychedelics will be dangerous or beneficial. Is there any non-anecdotal evidence for this? Has there been any other research on how to minimize the risks and side-effects of psychedelic drugs?
Some thoughts: Given the possibility of "psychotic breakdowns" and "severe panic attacks", I wonder if the potency of the drug is something we are capable of dealing with. The article makes a very strong case for the potentially therapeutic effects of the drug, especially for terminally ill and depressed patients, who presumably, have not much else to look forward to. But it seems too easy. The way I see it, if a drug has the power to so drastically shift a mindset, an understanding, a mood, it can't be without consequence (a musing, on my part, but it makes intuitive sense...). I'm saying this out of a certain sort of personal faith, and not a scientific understanding, that the brain has an internal "balance" and is governed by a(n evolved?) "wisdom". The regular use of psychotics somehow undermines that, in that it pushes it to a direction it is not naturally inclined towards, or necessarily ready for. I don't know though, I guess the same theory could be applied to "legal" medication, psychiatric or otherwise, so I guess I'm sort of at odds with myself...
Anyway. I'm curious to know how some of these patients feel later down the line (i.e. in 10 or 20 years).
I know the article mentions that none of the patients experienced a bad trip, but I was wondering about the potential ramifications that could occur if someone did have one. Particularly I wonder about what would/could happen psychologically to someone with PTSD if they had a bad trip and hallucinations of whatever caused their PTSD while using these drugs.
I was interested in the claim that external environment is largely predictive of whether psychedelics will be dangerous or beneficial. Is there any non-anecdotal evidence for this? Has there been any other research on how to minimize the risks and side-effects of psychedelic drugs?
ReplyDeleteSome thoughts:
ReplyDeleteGiven the possibility of "psychotic breakdowns" and "severe panic attacks", I wonder if the potency of the drug is something we are capable of dealing with. The article makes a very strong case for the potentially therapeutic effects of the drug, especially for terminally ill and depressed patients, who presumably, have not much else to look forward to. But it seems too easy. The way I see it, if a drug has the power to so drastically shift a mindset, an understanding, a mood, it can't be without consequence (a musing, on my part, but it makes intuitive sense...). I'm saying this out of a certain sort of personal faith, and not a scientific understanding, that the brain has an internal "balance" and is governed by a(n evolved?) "wisdom". The regular use of psychotics somehow undermines that, in that it pushes it to a direction it is not naturally inclined towards, or necessarily ready for. I don't know though, I guess the same theory could be applied to "legal" medication, psychiatric or otherwise, so I guess I'm sort of at odds with myself...
Anyway. I'm curious to know how some of these patients feel later down the line (i.e. in 10 or 20 years).
I know the article mentions that none of the patients experienced a bad trip, but I was wondering about the potential ramifications that could occur if someone did have one. Particularly I wonder about what would/could happen psychologically to someone with PTSD if they had a bad trip and hallucinations of whatever caused their PTSD while using these drugs.
ReplyDelete