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MindMover

(5,016 posts)
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 02:39 PM Feb 2014

End the Ban on Psychoactive Drug Research

Discovery of new psychiatric medication, whether for the treatment of depression, autism or schizophrenia, is at a virtual standstill. As just one example, the antidepressants on the market today are no more effective at reversing the mood disorder than those that first became available in the 1950s.

New thinking is desperately needed to aid the estimated 14 million American adults who suffer from severe mental illness. Innovation would likely accelerate if pharmacologists did not have to confront an antiquated legal framework that, in effect, declares off-limits a set of familiar compounds that could potentially serve as the chemical basis for entire new classes of drugs.

LSD, ecstasy (MDMA), psilocybin and marijuana have, for decades, been designated as drugs of abuse. But they had their origins in the medical pharmacopeia. Through the mid-1960s, more than 1,000 scientific publications chronicled the ways that LSD could be used as an aid to make psychotherapy more effective. Similarly, MDMA began to be used as a complement to talk therapy in the 1970s. Marijuana has logged thousands of years as a medicament for diseases and conditions ranging from malaria to rheumatism.

http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/end-the-ban-on-psychoactive-drug-research/?page=1

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Phlem

(6,323 posts)
1. Love my Scientific American subscription.
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 03:02 PM
Feb 2014

I firmly believe there are components in psilocybin that can end alcoholism instantly and painlessly.

But nooooo, we can't any of that! It's all woo!

-p

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
2. I don't necessarily believe the "instantly and painlessly" part, however
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 03:27 PM
Feb 2014

I do think that certain psychoactive compounds can potentially be useful, shall we say, teaching tools which can allow some people to step outside of their own addictive processes and, metaprogramming fashion, reconfigure their brains and mental patterns in more productive or healthy ways.

I fully support additional research in this area.

Phlem

(6,323 posts)
3. I grew up in a completely dysfunctional, abusive family and
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 04:58 PM
Feb 2014

I consumed alcohol in large amounts along with a host of other drugs during my teen years. The 2 times I tried mushrooms (very far apart from each other) I was completely under the influence at 6 to 8 beers in. 1st dose of mushroom tea, didn't want anymore alcohol and after a night of being on them (no bad experiences), the very next day I didn't want anything to do w/alcohol, no withdrawals just ready to move on and feeling great.

Of course not being able to get out of my living situation after a long time I started drinking again, and the second time, the same experience.

PTSD never truly leaves you so after years of working 60 hour weeks, having the drive sucked out of me by a fucked up greedy ass game industry, the final straw was having my job off shored and no job to go to (as I put myself through school for the game industry), I started drinking again. I'm in a better place than I was right when the last straw broke the camels back. But I'm drinking again and I want to stop, but the pain I've lived with all my life makes it downright difficult to go cold turkey. Yes I've done AAA, working out, all the options but I would kill for a cup of psilocybin tea. I've quite everything cold turkey including cigarettes (fucking tough). But that witching our comes and I must have a glass.

Still doing what I can but this wouldn't be an issue if had access to mushrooms. A decade plus of working 60 hours a week and only getting paid for 40, with no bonuses can make one a little grumpy over time. At 48, I can make this the last time if i had a chance.



It worked for me I guess.

-p

PS. Cannabis is awesome for long term PTSD. Takes you from going out of control to a more deliberate acknowledgment of the situation and have something to calm you down instead of blowing your top. IMHO

MindMover

(5,016 posts)
4. Phlem, I sincerely hope trials open sooner rather than later on ...
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 05:09 PM
Feb 2014

Last edited Tue Feb 4, 2014, 06:17 PM - Edit history (1)

these potential brain drugs ...

and thank you for sharing your experiences ...

Yes, tobacco is more difficult than heroin to quit ...

and cannabis is a wonderful weed for all kinds of issues, medical and mental ...

Again, too much money holding the research back from even getting started ...




Phlem

(6,323 posts)
5. Thanks MindMover
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 05:41 PM
Feb 2014

And definitely thank you for your post.

I'm used to my medicine being difficult to find, grew up with it. I mean really what kind of response would I have gotten back in the 80's if I vocalized "Cannabis helps PTSD symptoms". Either crickets or demeaning laughter.



I might have to take matters in my own hand and go back to Ole stomping grounds.



Take care my friend. I look forward to many more of your posts.



-p

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
6. There is a great deal of evidence, both anecdotal and not, that backs you up.
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 05:52 PM
Feb 2014

My point wasn't that I don't think it helps or can help- I absolutely do think it can, and does in many instances, and in fact some of the first experiments Leary did was with psilocybin and alcoholism, IIRC---

rather, my personal opinion is that it's not so much a chemical "cure"; although what you relate regarding craving and withdrawl is fascinating, to be sure-- as it is an opportunity to broaden the perspective of ones' consciousness on the patterns- and, in my opinion, addiction to something like alcohol involves both a physiological process and self-reinforcing negative patterns-- to take the larger self out of the limited self and provide additional perspective.

Getting out of the physiological, immediate addictive cycle is one big hurdle (obviously, not telling you anything you don't know) but maintaining that different perspective is essential IMHO to remaining sober.

I do wish you luck on your journey.

Phlem

(6,323 posts)
7. Thanks bud
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 06:12 PM
Feb 2014

And you are correct, Moving out of the house asap helped tremendously, physical activity, and being around sane people.

All of that helps me to focus on a being a better person and living a better life.

I will take care of this no matter what.

-p

MindMover

(5,016 posts)
8. It is an eclectic remedy for sure Warren and "maintaining" ...
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 06:25 PM
Feb 2014

that sober edge when "hopeless and helpless" settles in, is near impossible ... and at times the only way to feel hopeful and less helpless is to "hit" whatever you hit to make yourself feel less hopeless and helpless ... and what little control you feel before hitting whatever you hit helps you feel more in control after you have hit it .... the thought pattern is for sure a destructive dichotomy ...

Warren DeMontague

(80,708 posts)
10. There are a lot of different paths that work for a lot of different people, I think.
Tue Feb 4, 2014, 08:13 PM
Feb 2014

I've heard it said by some that they feel early sobriety is like cutting your hair in the mirror... you really have to direct your brain to do the exact opposite of what it instinctively wants to.

Easier said than done, to be sure.

Chathamization

(1,638 posts)
11. Psilocybin has been shown to be effective in treating some pretty nasty stuff
Sun Feb 9, 2014, 02:05 PM
Feb 2014

such as OCD and cluster headaches. There's also evidence of general positive effects on individuals. It's nuts the way these substances are currently treated, particularly when we allow more dangerous substances (and have a culture that encourages alcohol abuse).

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