Psychology

Classic psychedelic drugs may reduce criminal behaviour, says recent study

“Our findings suggest the protective effects of classic psychedelic use are attributable to genuine reductions in antisocial behaviour rather than reflecting improved evasion of arrest. Simply put, the positive effects associated with classic psychedelic use appear to be reliable. Given the costs of criminal behaviour, the potential represented by this treatment paradigm is significant.” -UBC…

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Psychology

The irrationality of modern drug laws, in one chart

In recent years, certain places have started updating their laws to restore a sense of proportionality to the way they regulate drugs … As of 2016, according to the Global Commision on Drug Policy report, roughly a quarter of a billion people worldwide used drugs that were illegal. Nearly 90% of them did so without…

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Psychology

Magic mushrooms do the opposite of anti-depressants, but that may be why they work

What’s striking is the alleviation of depression occurs from emotional receptivity being enhanced – the opposite of SSRI antidepressants. ​ “It has been proposed that decreased amygdala responsiveness to negative emotional stimuli under SSRIs is a key component of their therapeutic action,” the researchers explain, “but the present study’s findings suggest that this model does…

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Psychology

Why drug rehab is outdated, expensive, and deadly

For the better part of 40 years the recipient of that check [money from various funding sources] has almost exclusively been …drug or alcohol treatment facility based on the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous—a self help-style system developed by and for alcohol abusers more than 80 years ago, when neuroscience was in its infancy. To…

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Psychology

The key to treating alcoholism with medical marijuana

In the nomenclature of recovery studies, cannabis aided alcoholism recovery is referred to as “Marijuana Maintenance”. The Harm Reduction Journal reports that cannabis can curb an addict’s alcohol cravings and it is a viable, natural alternative to prescription medications such as benzodiazepines. Secondly, a large quantity of drinkers medicate with alcohol to relieve psychological conditions…

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Psychology

A clear-eyed comparison of alcohol vs marijuana

One recent study found that for married couples, smoking weed may actually decrease the likelihood of violence. While studies show no direct link between alcohol and domestic abuse, it’s use is certainly present in many such cases. A study by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence found that “Two-thirds of victims who were…

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Psychology

The feds think pot is a greater threat than opioids

Most tellingly, at a time when more than 60 million Americans enjoy legal marijuana in their home states and when opinion polls show strong and increasing majorities in favor of legalization nationwide, drug agents and federal prosecutors are still devoting more resources to marijuana than to heroin. According to the data, only 14.2% of federal…

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Psychology

Study: alcohol is far worse for mental health than psychedelics

“Drug experts consistently rank LSD and psilocybin mushrooms as much less harmful to the individual user and to society compared to alcohol and other controlled substances.” These words from a study by Norway’s Research Council mimic the self-reported effects of psychoactives, as well: Most users report deep or meaningful experiences while using LSD or mushrooms.…

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