Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use

Re:Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use by tchrowaway15123 on Wednesday October 03, 2018 @05:21PM (#18134930)

Warning: anecdotes ahead.

I would like to add some counterpoint to the otherwise seemingly endless supply of HN enthusiasm for psychedelics.

Personally, I like psychedelics. I have an annual(ish) tradition of tripping somewhere really pretty. I think that the personal growth and emotional... trip is fun and worthwhile.

However, my girlfriend had a bad trip and was scared of large trees for months. And I'd rate my girlfriend as one of the most mentally stable people I have ever met. I am unconvinced that throwing psychedelics at mentally unstable (unhealthy) people is a good idea. We need a lot more research before we start recommending them as medicine.

To that end, I do believe that we should allow researchers greater flexibility to experiment with them because it would be worthwhile to understand more about why psychedelics do what they do.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use by jrace on Wednesday October 03, 2018 @06:08PM (#18135247)

You are using an experience of a "mentally stable" person to dictate the treatment of "mentally unstable" people.

The effects of Ritalin on a non-ADHD person are the opposite to what happens when an ADHD person takes them.

I appreciate the spirit behind your message however.

I think we are at the point where we can start research with mentally unstable people. It has been shown that there is little permanent issues from taking LSD or Mushrooms responsibly.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use by uxp100 on Wednesday October 03, 2018 @07:27PM (#18135668)

>The effects of Ritalin on a non-ADHD person are the opposite to what happens when an ADHD person takes them.

I believe this is false.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use by blacksmith_tb on Wednesday October 03, 2018 @07:53PM (#18135828)

"Opposite" may be an overstatement[1], but I take it the general argument is basically a pharmacological version of "one man's meat[2]"

1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Methylphenidate#Uses

2: https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/one_man%27s_meat_is_another_m...

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use by colordrops on Wednesday October 03, 2018 @05:59PM (#18135193)

1. Would you say you are qualified to diagnose whether someone is mentally stable?

2. Did she partake with someone who is experienced in guiding people through trips?

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Psychedelic Mushrooms Are Closer to Medicinal Use by dwaltrip on Wednesday October 03, 2018 @07:39PM (#18135733)

I'm sorry about your gitlfriend's experience. I agree that these substances are quite powerful and should be handled with great care.

> I am unconvinced that throwing psychedelics at mentally unstable (unhealthy) people is a good idea.

Fortunately, this isn't what happens. The medicine is administered in sessions with experienced therapists present as guides. Extensive therapy sessions are also conducted in preparation for the treatment as well as for follow-up.

> I do believe that we should allow researchers greater flexibility to experiment with them because it would be worthwhile to understand more about why psychedelics do what they do.

This is (finally) happening. The results that are coming in are quite amazing. For example, the use of guided MDMA therapy sessions to treat severe PTSD was actually granted "breakthrough treatment" status by FDA. It is currently in the last phase of trials before the treatment is FDA approved.

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