Science

Effects of external stimulation on psychedelic state neurodynamics

Stronger external stimulation increases baseline entropy and reduces the drug effect. Results show that while brain entropy increases with LSD under all of the experimental conditions, it exhibits the largest changes when subjects have their eyes closed. Furthermore, brain entropy changes are consistently associated with subjective ratings of the psychedelic experience, but this relationship is…

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Politics

Marijuana meets criteria for reclassification as lower-risk drug, FDA scientific review finds

Marijuana has a lower potential for abuse than other drugs that are subjected to the same restrictions, with scientific support for its use as a medical treatment, researchers from the US Food and Drug Administration say in documents supporting its reclassification as a Schedule III substance… The FDA documents, which are posted online, “reflect HHS’ evaluation of…

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Anthropology

Narco-deforestation and its climate impact in Central America

Recently the growing connection between deforestation and drug trafficking in Central America has led to what researchers from Oregon State University have called ‘narco-deforestation’. Increasingly, evidence suggests that increased drug trafficking networks are linked to forest losses in Central America: this is most likely accelerated by the fact that 86% of global cocaine transits through this region before reaching…

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Science

Psychedelic mushrooms existed millions of years before humans, largest-ever study reveals

Dentinger and his team found that psilocybin-making in Psilocybe sprung up in evolutionary history around 65 million years ago. To put that in perspective, the earliest human species appeared on the scene roughly 2 million years ago, with modern Homo sapiens evolving 300,000 years ago. Original Article (Vice):Psychedelic mushrooms existed millions of years before humans, largest-ever study revealsArtwork Fair…

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Politics

…magic mushrooms, coca leaf from B.C. drug activist

In an interview… Dana Larsen confirmed he sent the packages, saying he wanted to show all 87 B.C. elected officials MLA’s [Members of the Legislative Assembly] that they aren’t something to be afraid of. “I think that access to these kinds of natural plant medicines is part of the solution to the prohibition death crisis…

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Politics

Oregon psilocybin advocates reflect on [legally binding definition of not being therapy] program’s first year

This year [2023], Oregon became the first state to introduce psilocybin… and… been learning as they go. Since the first facility in Oregon opened to the public this May, 600… [to upwards of 700 adults] have participated in the program. Original Article (Oregon Public Broadcasting & Oregon Live & Seattle Times):Oregon psilocybin advocates reflect on…

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Anthropology

New bipartisan Washington bill would legalize psilocybin… for veterans and first responders

The new limited measure would require nonprofits to use psychedelics facilitators licensed “by the state of Oregon… …or another state with with a state facilitator license and licensure requirements that meet or exceed the Oregon state requirements with regard to required training, background checks, and licensing examination.” Original Article (Marijuana Moment):New bipartisan Washington bill would…

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Anthropology

Connecticut lawmakers weigh another bill to decriminalize small amounts of psilocybin

Connecticut lawmakers are considering another push to decriminalize psilocybin – a psychedelic substance often called magic mushrooms – after a similar bill stalled late in last year’s legislative process amid skepticism from Gov. Ned Lamont. Julia Bergman, a spokesperson for the governor, said Monday [1/8/24] that it was too soon to speculate whether Lamont would…

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