Politics

…California psychedelics bill…

“Since we passed this resolution in Oakland, California in June of 2019, the amount of people that are brewing their own mushrooms has expanded exponentially,” [says Carlos] Plazola “And people are sharing with no intention to sell.” “If suddenly we set limits that are very low, then we will see those people in danger of…

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Spirituality

Psychedelics and spirituality

…the emergence of what is known today as shamanism and psychedelic rituals and trips can be traced back to the expanded visionary ritual capacity expressed by… human ancestors. The past and present events have shown that the synergy between religion and psychedelics will remain unbroken even in generations to come. Psychedelics have survived various forms…

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Science

Just one dose of magic mushroom… regrows lost brain connections…

…triggered an immediate, long-lasting increase in neuronal connections after just a single dose. “We not only saw a 10 percent increase in the number of neuronal connections, but also they were on average about 10 percent larger, so the connections were stronger as well,” said neuroscientist Alex Kwan of Yale University. Original Article (Science Alert):Just one dose…

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Psychology

Cannabis use associated with increased decision making skills

A team of researchers in Europe recently conducted what they describe to be “one of the largest longitudinal European multicenter studies on the topic” of residual effects of cannabis use on neurocognition (decision making skills)… Decision making is not impaired when cannabis is used in moderation, and onset of use occurs after the age of 15. “We…

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Anthropology

Berlin [Germany] now has an LSD shop…

…he’d made enough money to open the physical shop. His nervous landlord insisted on several months’ rent upfront. Out front, there’s a sign saying “Wir Verkaufen LSD” (we sell LSD)… …a new package of supplies has arrived, and there’s a constant stream of customers… The majority say they take the drug for fun, although some…

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Psychology

Home grow…

In 2016, the… legal clash between the LPs and patient collectives ended in a victory for Canadian patients. Namely that the right of home grow in Canada was challenged in court. Patients (at least in Canada) won the day… That said, the same could not be said of Germany. Indeed, the same month that Canadian…

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Anthropology

City Council will soon consider a resolution that would decriminalize psychedelic plants and fungi in Arcata

([However] the sale of entheogenic plants and fungi is a felony deemed worthy of prison time. The decriminalization of selling entheogenic plants and fungi is not included in the scope of goals pursued…) Arcata residents 21 and older may soon be free to embark on psychedelic trips without trip-to-the-police-department fears thanks to… Decriminalize Nature Humboldt… If the…

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Politics

…legal questions around psychedelic…

How will patents on psychedelics affect cost or access in the future?… Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) scheduling of psychedelics… “Many companies will have a vested interest in maintaining the status quo,” he said. “If a company can get permission from DEA to conduct trials on various psychedelics and at the same time potentially have certain…

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Science

The problem at the heart of modern psychedelic clinical research

For around half a century the randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been considered the gold standard in evaluating the effectiveness of any new medical intervention…. …does not suggest we need to abandon RCTs for psychedelic research … at least not yet… he calls for more rigor and transparency in the ways psychedelic trials are designed…

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Medicine/Healing

Study suggests psychedelic users reframe “bad trips” into positive experiences through detailed narratives

…published in the International Journal of Drug Policy asked psychedelic drug users to share their experiences with drug use, and particularly, their experiences with “bad trips.”… intense negative reactions that can include anxiety, paranoia, panic attacks, and frightening hallucinations… despite describing these highly distressing experiences, many participants seemed to look back on bad trips with gratitude, suggesting…

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