Debunking Myths and Misconceptions of Psychedelics
With an increasing focus on more and more research on psychedelic substances across the globe, there has been a rise in people spreading myths about the same. A lot of states across the United States of America have legalized cannabis for psychedelic therapeutic and other medical purposes.
Yet, the myths and misconceptions never seem to go away. In fact, people with stronger beliefs in the wrong facts seem to be increasing day by day. This trend is especially true for people of younger age.
Not only for use, but the industry has also seen a heavy inflow of money, to get to the roots of the drug and find out the therapeutic benefits of the same. This burgeoning industry, to say the least, has attracted a lot of eyeballs. It becomes important at this stage to talk about the myths and misconceptions around the whole thing.
Myth buster: Debunking Myths and Misconceptions of Psychedelics
Myth #1
Making Psychedelic Drugs Are Harvested Using Harmful Pesticide
This is one of the most widely spread myths. In fact, this myth goes back to the 1960s. It was believed that LSD or Acid, as it is commonly called, is cut using Strychnine. For the unversed, Strychnine is a harmful pesticide.
But recent research has proven that LSD dose not contain even one bit of Strychnine. Still, naysayers continue to spread the rumor through the grapevine. Interestingly, various NGOs are using these psychedelic substances as a therapy against depression and anxiety.
Myth #2
Psychedelics Increase Signals to the Brain
Opposite to what is commonly believed by the users of psychedelic substances, these substances do not increase signals to your brain. The feelings of confusion and restlessness are often believed to be of hyper-brain activity.
But research has shown otherwise. The blood flow which is indicative of increased brain activity has in fact decreased on the use of psychedelic substances. This makes them a perfect therapy for issues like anxiety and ADHD. But sadly, they do not turn your brain into a super brain.
Myth #3
Psychedelics Fry your Brain
There is a widespread belief in people that psychedelic drugs ‘fry’ your brain. Especially drugs like LSD, rank first in the list of such substances. But as studies by North Carolina University has shown, there are no proofs of ‘frying’.
The research pointed out that these drugs stay in the brain for 6–7 hours. For ‘frying’ you would need it to stay there for much longer, if not permanently. For the ones facing a psychotic episode after the use of psychedelic drugs on them, it may be due to psychosomatic effects. It is not true that the ‘episode’ happens due to some permanent damage to the brain.
Myth #4
Therapeutic Psychedelics May Lead to Addiction
This myth is, perhaps, the most laughable. The whole point of using these drugs in therapy is to infuse such small amounts of them that they do not lead to addiction. In fact, research has also shown that it helps significantly in de-addiction.
According to research conducted in the 1960s, a psychedelic drug, psilocybin, was used as a trial on people who were dependent upon alcohol. The research showed a surprising and significant result. Given as therapy and under the guidance of a Doctor, the addiction of the people participating in the trial was reduced significantly.
Similar research around the addiction to tobacco has also shown similar results. The number of cigarettes smoked by the people reduced to almost zero in a few sessions of psychedelic therapy.
So, next time someone says that therapy using psychedelic substances may land you in trouble, tell them that it does the exact opposite.
Myth #5
Therapeutic Psychedelics do not Improve PTSD
Sure, if you want to dismiss research. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder has been one of the major mental ailments across the globe today. Especially in the older generation, who have seen World War 2. The problem is also widespread in Asian countries that have seen several wars post-WW2.
The use of psychedelic therapy has shown a significant reduction in PTSD symptoms. Findings have also been published in various journals and books. The reduction was even to the extent that some patients were even no longer identified as suffering from PTSD.
Therapeutic psychedelics are the tomorrow of medical science. It is time for us to shun the reluctance and look at it from a new perspective. Maybe, a big breakthrough is just around the corner?
For more psychedelics resources visit Icaro Connect.
Originally published at https://www.icaroconnect.com on March 2, 2022.
