Psychedelics Could Trigger A 'Paradigm Shift' In Mental Health Care

Re:Psychedelics Could Trigger A 'Paradigm Shift' In Mental H... by Taek on Saturday October 10, 2015 @11:08AM (#10365704)

What if doctors could prescribe drugs for recreational reasons? Then you are getting them from a setting where can be informed about the dangers, and a professional can tell you if you have personal risk factors (for example, I have a friend with a heart condition who is at very high risk of heart attack under the influence of cocaine).

And then the professionals can help measure dependency and long term effects, and people can participate in studies and contribute to the science of recreational drug use. Drugs are always medical grade, never laced with other substances, and doctors can recommend safe alternatives to the dangerous recreational drugs.

Power dynamics between a doctor and an addict may pose ethical problems, but if the doctor has the proper oversight these problems can be mitigated.

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Re:Psychedelics Could Trigger A 'Paradigm Shift' In Mental H... by MichaelGG on Saturday October 10, 2015 @11:52AM (#10365884)

No, doctors should have less power. It's absolutely embarrassing and disgusting that individuals must seek approval of another person just to get permission to buy certain medicines. Outside of things that require coordination (like antibiotics), there should be no prescription requirements. (There may need to be waivers and a statement of understanding before purchasing things, sure.)

Doctors already regulate recreational and personal-enhancement via their strangehold on opiates and stimulants. We don't need to further this system.

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