Why psychiatry needs psychedelics and psychedelics need psychiatry.
Without researching psychedelic drugs for medical therapy, psychiatry is turning its back on a group of compounds that could have great potential. Without the validation of the medical profession, the psychedelic drugs, and those who take them off-license, remain archaic sentiments of the past, with the users maligned as recreational drug abusers and subject to continued negative opinion. These two disparate groups--psychiatrists and recreational psychedelic drug users--are united by their shared recognition of the healing potential of these compounds. A resolution of this conflict is essential for the future of psychiatric medicine and psychedelic culture alike. Progression will come from professionals working in the field adapting to fit a conservative paradigm. In this way, they can provide the public with important treatments and also raise the profile of expanded consciousness in mainstream society.
Ben
B
Sessa
D055030:Drug Users / Q000523:psychology; D006213:Hallucinogens / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000266:history / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D049673:History, 20th Century; D049674:History, 21st Century; D006801:Humans; D061214:Patient Safety; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000266:history / Q000379:methods*; D011639:Public Opinion; D018570:Risk Assessment; D019966:Substance-Related Disorders / Q000523:psychology
D006213:Hallucinogens