Modern Culture

Are we being exposed to psychedelics more…

…study published in The Journal of Psychedelic Psychiatry has attempted to measure the change in public sentiment regarding psychedelics and the frequency of their mentions over time in American newspapers… …the decriminalization movement across the United States, particularly Oregon decriminalizing drug possession and legalizing supervised psilocybin sessions, has allowed people to speak more openly about psychedelics… narrative and…

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Science

Adults who microdose psychedelics report health related motivations and lower levels of anxiety and depression compared to non-microdosers

This examination of a large international sample of adults highlights the prominence of therapeutic and wellness motivations for microdosing psychedelic drugs and identified lower levels of anxiety and depression among microdosers relative to controls.  Comparisons of psilocybin to LSD microdosers indicated no differences on measures of Depression, Anxiety and Stress from the DASS-21 (all values for F (1, 827) < 1.0, p > 0.50). The inclusion of…

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Anthropology

[Oregon] Measure 110…

Oregonians voted Measure 110 into law, passing it by a 17-point margin and sending the strong message that we want drug use treated as a health issue — not a crime. The measure passed in communities both large and small, urban and rural, progressive and conservative. The law decriminalized all drugs For more than 50…

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Science

Using marijuana with psychedelics intensifies the mystical experience, study finds

Researchers at Imperial College London [report]… Use of cannabis together with psychedelics was “associated with higher scores of mystical-type experience, ego-dissolution and visual alterations,” the study, published last week in the journal Psychopharmacology, states. And in general, the more marijuana a person said they used, the more intense the psychedelic effect… there was a unique…

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Psychology

Magic mushrooms… how do they work?

…has a low toxicity, and is considered to be relatively harmless when compared to the potential health effects of many other drugs… by affecting the way brain cells connect, it could be… long term benefits for treating mood disorders. …Psilocybe species… most commonly prized as a recreational drug. Also referred to as golden cap, this tiny, tan to…

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Anthropology

Psilocybin… pennsylvania veterans…

Listed as the prime sponsor of the Pennsylvania bill is Tracy Pennycuick (R., Montgomery County), an Army veteran who is in her first term. She has 20 cosponsors, a rare mix of Democrats and Republicans. The Pennsylvania proposal falls between what has happened in Oregon and Texas. Oregon legalized psilocybin-assisted therapy in medical settings and…

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Politics

Doctor takes bid to treat patient with MDMA to court…

Consultant psychiatrist Eli Kotler launched legal action after the Victorian Department of Health knocked back an application to treat the woman… with the drug more commonly known as ecstasy. Kylie Evans, the barrister representing Victoria’s Health Department, told the court that the outcome of the case would be significant… the move will be opposed by…

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Science

…analog… psilocybin

…[ie] deuterated psilocybin analog has a duration of effect that is half is long as psilocybin, and a duration onset that is twice as fast. …[research pipeline seeking & developing] drugs with less variability [with goals such as] a faster onset time and better brain penetration that maintain the therapeutic properties of psilocybin and deliver…

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Biography/Memoir

Veterans have become unlikely lobbyists in push to legalize psychedelic drugs

The legalization campaign’s focus on vets as leading advocates is not without controversy. Carlos Plazola, co-founder of the advocacy group Decriminalize Nature, said he was disappointed by the movement’s overemphasis on the struggles of service members. He said a broader cross section of people of color should have their experiences heard. “We understand the value…

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Politics

Psychedelics could become extractive capitalism…

As psychedelic firms skyrocket in market cap, quick cashouts are extracting billions of dollars in value – with no benefit to society… I’ve questioned the incentives of those investing in the psychedelic space… financial motivations to make a quick exit. These exits are ultimately extractive, and raise the cost of treatments, rendering them inaccessible to…

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