Psychology

Carnivalism: the shadow of hierarchy

I asked their [my classes’] indulgence for a historical detour. “Hierarchical societies that are deeply unequal and exploitive,” I pointed at the image, “force people to release stress through play. In Ancient Greece, the cult of Dionysus held rituals where they drank, took psychedelics and danced on mountains. When Rome absorbed Greece, Dionysus was renamed…

READ MORE
Biography/Memoir

Beitzel to continue work on establishing drug treatment program [with iboga]

*iboga activist Dana Beal in 1994 Del. Wendell Beitzel (R-District 1A) wants to continue efforts to establish an ibogaine treatment pilot program in Maryland. “We’re dealing with an extreme opiate addiction problem,” Beitzel said during his and Sen. George Edwards’ recent pre-legislative meeting at Garrett College. “I think it’s a problem that’s probably touched just…

READ MORE
Medicine/Healing

Could prescription heroin be the next step in treating addiction?

When Philadelphia announced its support of Comprehensive User Engagement Sites (CUES) — also known as safe injection facilities — [opponents] came out in full force, to battle with misinformation and zero data … While we should hold Big Pharma accountable for its deceptive marketing practices, and the chemical makeup of some substances does put individuals at higher…

READ MORE
Science

Two leading psychedelic researchers—Heffter President Dave Nichols and board member Charles Grob—report on the toxicity of LSD

From a physiological perspective, however, LSD is known to be non-toxic and medically safe when taken at standard dosages (50–200 μg). The scientific literature, along with recent media reports, have unfortunately implicated “LSD toxicity” in five cases of sudden death. On close examination, however, two of these fatalities were associated with ingestion of massive overdoses,…

READ MORE
Politics

[Politicians] call for a hearing on Jeff Sessions anti-marijuana policy

Jeff Sessions failed “to provide any evidence that prosecuting marijuana in states where it has been legalized will make Americans safer.” “The costs of pursuing this misguided policy both in terms of prosecution and in lives blighted by unnecessary criminal convictions are staggering, cruel and unwarranted,” said Rep. Steve Cohen, a Democrat from Tennessee who…

READ MORE
Biography/Memoir

International Criminal Court takes 1st step in probe into Duterte drug war

The International Criminal Court (ICC) is moving on the complaint filed against President Rodrigo Duterte in connection with the high number of killings under his violent war on drugs. The ICC is the world’s first treaty-based permanent international criminal court that aims to end impunity. It investigates serious crimes including genocide, crimes against humanity, war…

READ MORE
Anthropology

US Corporation cashes in as Lesotho becomes the first African country to legalise cannabis cultivation

​As reported on Feb. 6th, 2018… Lesotho has become the first African country to permit the legal cultivation of cannabis – but the production of the drug has been restricted to two foreign-owned companies, while rural farmers and the wider population continue to be prohibited from harvesting their own.  Cannabis – known as matekoane in Sotho, the main…

READ MORE
Science

Life-saving spray being issued to EPD patrol officers

*molecule of naloxone [Eugene] police are increasingly coming into contact with illicit drugs on patrol, including fentanyl…a synthetic opioid. Eugene Police have a new tool in their efforts to help addicts in crisis: the drug naloxone, which can reverse opioid overdoses. Besides using naloxone sprayers on [people who use drugs], officers can use them on…

READ MORE