Studies claim that psilocybin, a mushroom species, popularly known as magic mushroom, can offer plenty of benefits to terminally ill patients struggling with depression with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder).
For quite a while, psilocybin has been considered a recreational drug. The authorities did not take any claims seriously that it could have significant medical benefits. However, evidence that it can have important health benefits for depression and anxiety patients has been mounting.
That is why governments and other authorities should start considering its legalization for medical purposes.
The big break for researchers
Currently, the federal government is already warming up to the idea of using magic mushrooms in therapy.
At the end of 2018, the FDA offered a British mental health company, Compass Pathways, permission to use psilocybin in trials. This was a huge leap forward for a substance that has faced many controversies over the years.
According to Charles Grob, a psychiatry and behavioral sciences professor at UCLA, the move represented a historic improvement in psychedelic research.
Research into this drug goes as far back as the 90s. However, approval to conduct clinical trials has not been forthcoming.
The only time the government softened its stance was in August 2017. Back then, the FDA granted Compass Pathways approval to research the compound as a post-traumatic stress disorder solution.
Many think that the decision proved that this drug's benefits in alleviating anxiety could no longer be ignored. The government has to be responsible and approve further research into its health benefits.
Today, Rick Doblin, a pioneer in the efforts to have the government recognize the health benefits of psilocybin, has predicted that the drug's use could be legal by the year 2021.
Magic mushrooms for PTSD for those who don't respond to antidepressants
If Compass Pathways successfully proves that the compound offers relief that traditional anti-depressants can't, then FDA might approve its use for treating the conditions.
But that will not mean that psilocybin will be all over the place. Not all doctors will have permission to prescribe it, and not all patients should use it. Rather, the trained psychedelic therapists will distribute the drug.
Compass Pathways got approval to use psilocybin in trials. It is believed to have been due to the need for alternative depression and PTSD treatments.
At the moment, opioid use has reached epidemic proportions. Veterans coming back from war with serious mental issues need safer and more effective solutions to their problems.
The situation is actually pretty desperate at the moment.
An estimated 16 million Americans suffer from depression, and about a third of them are resistant to common medications. There are also 300 million suffering from depression worldwide.
Psilocybin might offer the solution these people need, as it has been alleged to offer a renewed sense of hope and acceptance. Beyond that, the compound has been linked to more lasting positive effects.
Regarding terminally-ill cancer patients, psilocybin trials at Johns Hopkins University have found that it resulted in a significant reduction in depression and anxiety. For some cancer patients, the substance was shown to be a permanent solution to the intangible plagues they were facing.
