Psychedelics: Have They Been Scandalised Through History?

What is sacred sometimes is a secret. Wise words from indigenous peoples whose ceremonies are embedded in decades worth of ancient traditions. 

Peyote (lophophora williamsii) a schedule I substance native to Mexico. It contains Mescaline, a potent, naturally occurring psychedelic compound. It is not viewed as a drug to the indigenous community; it is personified as a sacred, divine spirit. This is a cultural right that has been fought for by the Huichol people of Mexico and the Native American Church. It is treated as a holy medicine, often drunk in a tea form, used for deep spiritual healing, guidance and communal connection.

Psychedelics have been used in the past as exploratory substances rather than just recreational drugs. Studies were conducted in the 1920s and carried on intermittently until the 60s, early 70s when hippies started taking LSD, Psilocybin aka magic mushrooms. This was the era when men were no longer going to war as there was more peace and they were no longer acting like patriots. This could’ve been due to psychedelics as they have demonstrated a spiritual transformation, giving humans inner peace, it was changing minds in a positive way. A way we had never seen before. 

The government started seeing this, the numbers of veterans declining, less crime in the streets, less Class A drugs. This flagged the system. So they made Psilocybin a Schedule I substance, the same as Peyote and LSD, a drug with no clinical use. All of its previous work deleted, no longer valid trials even though results had proven positive, with minimal detrimental effects. These drugs had been used in cancer research with positive outcomes. They had also been used successfully in patients with mental illnesses, such as Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). 

In 2007, Swiss Psychiatrist, Dr Peter Gasser pioneered what was described as the psychedelic renaissance. Dr Gasser secured approval from the Swiss Federal Office of Public Health to conduct the first human clinical trial of LSD in psychotherapy in over 35 years after its criminalisation. His research focussed primarily on treating end of life anxiety in terminally ill patients.

Just one use of these God given gifts had been seen to transform lives. It didn’t help curing the cancer, it gave the patient peace and comfort in dying rather than fearing it. It made them more grateful for everything they’d experienced in life and not afraid of what is to come. It is reported that they would have visual hallucinations or flashbacks of their lives and this gave them the comfort of letting go. 

Psychedelics are a controversial topic with many a taboo. However, I think they have just acquired a stigma through time with different propaganda from each decade. With the right education and open trials it could prove to be something of value to the clinical research community. 

Written by, Lacey Martin