The Psychedelic Renaissance Is Back Again & It Could Revolutionize How We Treat Mental Health

The revival of psychedelic medicine and its profoundly therapeutic implications in treating mental illness has been recently bolstered by some astonishing preliminary research. Headlines, such as the FDA “fast-tracking” psilocybin treatment for depression and declaring it a “groundbreaking” therapy” are certainly hard to miss [1,2]. Still, in the past such tenuous excitement has often been met with disappointment and slower than expected progress. Years of powerful misinformation campaigns to support the government’s prohibitionist policies certainly aren’t easy to undo and achieving progress is understandably difficult. Despite this, it seems that experts are once again enthused about finally utilizing psychedelic medicine, particularly for their immense potential in treating intractable mental health conditions. Could this really be the start of the next psychedelic revolution, or are media outlets succumbing to another “hype cycle”?

Rediscovering Truths That Were Criminalized Before They Could Be Formalized

Overcoming decades of what were effectively weaponized disinformation campaigns to shoot down the early days of psychedelic research has been anything but simple [3]. Organizations like MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies) have dedicated countless hours and tens of millions of dollars to overcoming the hurdles standing between psychedelics and medical acceptance [4]. Indeed, as scientific research (such as Dr. Timothy Leary’s famous Concord Prison experiment) rapidly progressed in the 1950’s and 1960’s, they were shown to be incredibly promising in revolutionizing mental healthcare [5]. As history progressed, however, such substances became the targets in the governments disastrous “War on Drugs,” thus causing an immense amount of social turbulence leading to their ultimate criminalization before their clinical utility could be formally documented.

New Research is reinvigorating the Renaissance

Today, groundbreaking research is being done into compounds such as MDMA and psilocybin (magic mushrooms) to help uncover critical knowledge about the medical value of psychedelics [6,7]. For instance, the FDA’s recent designation of psilocybin as a “breakthrough therapy” for major depressive disorder is a formal one that will expedite valuable research into this powerful medicinal hallucinogen [3]. The dissolution of damaging, prohibitionist social constructs has been a hallmark of this modernist psychedelic renaissance. In actuality, psychedelics are being re-integrated back into society and were once integral parts of early human civilization, culture and general evolution. To truly appreciate the progress currently being made in the field of psychedelic medicine, providing a brief historical context is warranted.

The Primal Role of Psychedelics in Early Human History: Discovering & Preparing Entheogenic Plants

Humankind has used psychedelic drugs, in the form of entheogenic plants and fungus for thousands of years in ritualistic and ceremonial contexts. In his book “Food of the Gods,” renowned ethnobotanist Terrence McKenna discusses how ancient civilizations utilized these substances for everything from spiritual enrichment in larger doses, to sensory enhancement (for activities such as hunting) in lower doses [8]. McKenna even presents the intriguing “stoned ape theory” that posits humans co-evolved with psilocybin mushrooms in a symbiotic fashion such that they may have helped ancient hominids evolve higher, more advanced levels of consciousness [8]. What is truly remarkable is humankind’s discovery of these psychedelic plant species and recognition of their value in advancing individuals and societies. Perhaps one of the most notable examples of mankind’s ingenuity and coevolution with psychedelic compounds is the puzzling discovery and harnessing of the traditional Amazonian decoction Ayahuasca.

The Discovery and Creation of Ayahuasca Was a Truly Significant Moment in Human History

There are over 80,000 cataloged plant species in the Amazon rain-forest. What makes the discovery of the ancient Amazonian psychedelic brew ayahuasca so remarkable is that it is a synergistic blend of two plants (the caapi vine and the Psychotria viridis bush); consuming either plant alone will produce no effect [9]. The leaves of the bush contains dimethyltryptamine (DMT), an incredibly powerful psychedelic compound that indigenous shamans were recorded to use for healing, communicating with the dead and purportedly telepathically spying on enemy formations during battle [9]. However, it is only when the DMT containing leaves are simultaneously consumed with the compounds in the caapi vine, particularly the MAO inhibitors harmine and harmaline, that DMT breakdown by the liver can be bypassed and such psychedelic states can be achieved. Considering the therapeutic potential of ayahuasca, it can be argued that this discovery was a truly significant moment in human history and the evolution of mankind.

Ayahuasca: An Ancient Amazonian Hallucinogen Shows Promise In Treating Addiction & Mental Illness

Many years of recorded shamanic wisdom suggests ayahuasca may be a novel treatment for various psychiatric disorders, including addiction. Indeed, recent research supports this hypothesis [9]. Treatment centers in Mexico and South America already utilize ayahuasca in their protocol to addiction. One such treatment center is Inscape Recovery; they integrate ayahuasca ceremonies with psychotherapy, phytotherapy, nutritional therapy, and traditional addiction recovery modalities to provide a holistic program for treating addiction and co-occurring mental illness. “Ayahuasca and other entheogenic plants can provide a platform for deeply transformative experiences, however, in order for these experiences to translate into an actualized change in behavior, including cessation of addiction, proper psychotherapeutic support both before and after is absolutely necessary,''says David, one of the founders of the program. “Additionally, the person undertaking the process of self-discovery through entheogenic plants needs to be motivated and willing to work at a deep internal level and to sustain that work long after the ceremonies end. Our experience at Inscape has been when the individual is motivated to change, our program can help them actualize a change in their addictive behaviors and lifestyle.”

Indeed, anecdotal reports and some clinical evidence (Alper /Brown ibogaine study, Brazillian study on ayahuasca and depression, Canadian study on ayahuasca and addiction, John Hopkins study on psilocybin and smoking cessation) indicate the efficacy of using ayahuasca and other entheogens in the treatment of addiction, depression and other mental illnesses [10-13].

Moving Innovation to the Laboratory: The Invention of LSD Ignites the Psychedelic Revolution

As humans evolved to question their existence and explore the universe through the study of science, their curiosity for altered states of consciousness inspired the creation of man-made psychedelic drugs. One of the most outstanding discoveries was Albert Hoffman’s accidental creation of LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide) in the laboratory of Sandoz pharmaceuticals in 1938 [14]. Not thinking much of it at the time, Hoffman would revisit the compound five years later before embarking on the famous “bicycle day” where accidental ingestion of a large amount of LSD before a bike ride and his recollection of it would ignite the psychedelic revolution in the Western world.

Early Days of LSD Research Were Unencumbered and Showed Great Promise

The 1950’s witnessed a surge of investigative fervor by scientists curious to learn about the therapeutic effects of LSD. Psychedelic research enjoyed relatively unencumbered progress in these early days and there were promising findings to support LSD’s value in treating intractable conditions like alcoholism [15]. Some of these early findings were truly groundbreaking. For example, LSD treatment helped several addicts for whom the Alcoholics Anonymous program had previously failed. The lead investigator, Dr. Humphrey Osmond, discovered much to his surprise that after one year 40-45% of them had not had a drink, a success rate that is still unparalleled in the field of addiction treatment [16]. Unfortunately, these glory days for psychedelics were short lived and dark days were ahead that would stymie progress in the field for decades to come.

The Beast Unleashed, Here Come The Swinging ‘60s With a Crippling Legal Blow

By the 1960’s, the cat’s out of the bag and LSD use has expanded far beyond the confines of the clinical setting and into the hearts and minds of youth in the counterculture movement. It became strongly associated with the anti-war movement protesting the Vietnam War and played an integral role in human innovation across music, art, and technology just to name a few key sectors influenced by this social revolution. While the government was utilizing LSD for it’s own purposes (including mind control; see MK-ULTRA), the ensuing social unrest resulted in their desire to begin constructing what would become a very damaging construct of prohibition [17]. Renowned psychedelic researcher Dr. Timothy Leary’s infamous words: “Turn On, Tune In and Drop Out” earned him the title as “the most dangerous man in America” from Richard Nixon [18]. Eventually, these drugs would be dealt the most crippling blow and labeled schedule I controlled substances by the federal government, restricting any and all research and being declared as having “no medical value”. Powerful misinformation and propaganda would sweep these novel drugs under the rug, marred by decisive fear campaigns, for decades to come.

Thought Leaders Catalyze Resurgence of Psychedelic Revolution in Modern Day

The revival of psychedelic medicine in the modern day has been the result of promising new data and thought leaders with legitimate credentials courageous enough to begin a new conversation and spark a social shift. One noteworthy character is Paul Stamets who is helping steer the discussion academically in peer-reviewed literature and in mainstream media, such as on the Joe Rogan podcast. He is a renowned mycologist investigating psilocybin’s intersection with modern science and medicine [19]. Another remarkable figure helping bring psychedelics back into the spotlight has been Michael Pollan, a largely straight-edged journalist who personally tried different psychedelics and shared his experiences and ultimate advocacy for these substances in his book How to Change Your Mind [20]. His sober, calculated book opens the previously unfamiliar and uncomfortable domain of psychedelic drugs to a wider, more mainstream audience. As with Pollan, much of society’s fear around psychedelics began to dissolve as a new curiosity reigned!

New Research Offers New Hope, Firm Footing for Return of Psychedelic Renaissance

Perhaps the most exciting developments in the field of psychedelic medicine have been in the laboratory and clinical settings. In what is being called the “third wave” of psychedelic science, scientists in the 21st century have found novel applications for psychedelics in the treatment of mental health disorders. Landmarks in modern research include “MDMA-assisted therapy for the treatment of PTSD, alcoholism, and social anxiety, and psilocybin clinical studies for depression and addiction, as well as the ability of psychedelics to catalyze spiritual or mystical experiences and inspire creativity, and into the neuroscientific understanding of the effects of psychedelic substances on our nervous system” [21].

Closing Thoughts About The Future of Psychedelic Medicine

As of today, three major cities (Oakland, Denver and Chicago) have made major legislative strides by decriminalizing entheogenic plants. As the legal chokehold around these compounds continues to loosen its Nixon-era grip, the barriers towards further scientific research into psychedelics will further diminish as well. As the field of psychedelic medicine continues its revival in the 21st century, the treasure trove of new clinical data is especially important to keep an eye on. Preliminary findings into the clinical utility of psilocybin and MDMA in the treatment of intractable mental health conditions such as major depressive disorder are particularly fascinating and help buttress the overall therapeutic potential of psychedelic compounds. While scientists and society at large has been guilty of being overzealous about entering into the age of psychedelic medicine in the past, the evidence certainly suggests exciting times await us. As humanity begins to enter this thought-provoking, intellectually exciting new era, it is this scientist and author’s hope that the advent of psychedelic medicine will offer us new insights into the nature of human consciousness and the overall human condition.