Is There a Psychedelic Revolution About to Happen?

By Austin Schoonmaker | August 4, 2019

For decades, psychedelics have shared the ranks among of seriously harmful drugs like heroin, methamphetamine, and cocaine. Following a bolstered charge for a psychedelic nation led by Harvard Psychology professor Timothy Leary, thousands of “hippies” turn to these trippy drugs in open rebellion against the establishment. 

Unfortunately, this didn’t go as planned. Psychedelics were quickly relegated to become synonymous with anarchy, irresponsible drug use, and young users shedding all relation to the civilized world of the 20th century. For years, it seemed the case was closed on this curious category of drugs, but we may just be scratching the surface when it comes to exploring the untold wonders of safe and responsible psychedelic use. 

Society may finally be getting over its irrational fear of psychedelic, no doubt fueled by the anti-drug propaganda so heavily piped into the media and curriculum of children. For many, it is simply the fear of the unknown, while others believe the use of psychedelics will lead to insanity.

However, scientists are continuing to conduct hard-hitting research behind the scenes, and what researchers are finding is nothing short of amazing. Psychedelics, when used correctly and responsibly, have been shown to treat a variety of serious conditions that affect millions of Americans. These include anxiety, depression, addiction, PTSD, and a long list of other illnesses. 

One fascinating insight we have gained about psychedelics is that they affect a part of the brain called the default mode network – an area that is known for causing repetitive behavior and destructive tendencies. When psychedelics are administered, we see them effectively quiet down this area, somehow allowing users to escape detrimental patterns of thought. 

Some researchers say that this region is home to our ego, and when psychedelics course through this area of the brain, it gives people the chance to separate their minds from it, allowing for amazing clarity and relief from their disorders. 

At a time where mental health is becoming an issue of paramount proportions, we are tasked with the obstacle of helping patients overcome their illnesses. Antidepressants filled that void for a while, but that has sparked a whole host of other problems, acting rather as a band-aid than fixing the issue at the root cause. 

Already, psychedelics have surpassed a major obstacle in becoming used for medical applications. MDMA, a powerful empathogen with psychedelic property has already been cleared for FDA trials, now in its third phase of research, Psilocybin, the psychedelic component of magic mushrooms, has achieved decriminalization in both Denver and Oakland, with more cities pursuing similar decriminalization laws.