the Informer

It started and ended, with Timothy Leary’s experiments in the 1960s. That is, until now. Today, 50 years later, studies are once again being conducted that are revealing the benefits of hallucinogens.

Just recently, the Johns Hopkins medical school in Vancouver, Washington began ongoing experiments with psilocybin, the psychoactive element in hallucinogenic mushrooms. This ingredient can reportedly treat disorders such as depression in cancer patients, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and even addiction to drugs and alcohol, like no other drug can.

While advocacy for these experiments won’t be hard to find among our nation’s younger generation, psychedelics haven’t been so taboo for the past 50 years for nothing. People all react differently; the drug can have completely opposite affects on two separate people. And while some groups already view hallucinogens as being beneficial, elements such as laws, warnings and general uncertainty about the subject leave most to believe it’s nothing but risky business.

When experimenting in a realm so unknown and frowned upon, will scientists be able to win over the support of a society whose overwhelming majority have preconceived notions?

Well, they already have support from many cancer patients such as 65-year old Clark Martin, who recently had his first psychedelic experience after other anti-depressants failed to work. According to the New York Times, “Dr. Martin credits that six-hour experience with helping him overcome his depression and profoundly transforming his relationships.”

During Timothy Leary’s experiments in the ‘60s, 75 percent of participants described their trials as one of the best experiences of their lives, giving a decent indication to how people being tested on are describing it today.

Now, with more information and new technology, it is easier to take any necessary precautions, and there’s no reason these drugs shouldn’t be administered to those who are suffering.

Because of the uncertainty to reactions and knowledge of the risks, during these experiments doctors and scientists have created standardized guidelines when patients are being treated.

There are specific rules to ensure the patient is in a comfortable setting, there are always monitors present who are experts in dealing with any adverse reaction, and there is now technology available to study the brains of subjects while under the influence of drugs, more accurately gauging the effects.

Acting under these guidelines, several controlled experiments have been conducted and the results have all come out the same: “psilocybin could induce what the experimental subjects described as a profound spiritual experience with lasting positive affects,” according to the New York Times.

As of now, there is federal approval for these experiments to continue, but little money is being granted for furthering research.

Preliminary success is being reported, so with just a little more support for the cause, so many suffering from depression and other diseases can find the glimpse of hope hiding somewhere in their subconscious.