[In some parts of the world], psilocybin is not only decriminalized but fully legal, taxed by the government, and sold in dozens of retail stores across the country. Both [cannabis and psilocybin] have found a path to acceptance through the efforts of medicalization, as mainstream society has shown support for natural substances with demonstrable healing…
“Why are we putting individuals in prison and taking away their children for using something that is physically safe, non-addictive, and has such tremendous medical benefit?” the arguments-in-favor section reads. “Psilocybin mushrooms are safer than cannabis and alcohol. Not only are they non-addictive, but they also treat depression, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety.” Shall the voters…
…toxicology tests determined that other drugs were present [in recent deaths attributed to “kratom”]. Fentanyl, the powerful opioid, was listed as a cause of death in just over half of them. Other prescription opioids, heroin and benzodiazepines like Valium were each listed as a cause of death in about a quarter of those 91 fatalities.…
Caught in the conflict are thousands of chronically or fatally ill patients, many of whom are in pain and unsure where their next medicine will come from. Around 5,000 patients have already run out of their medicine, and an additional 3,000-4,000 will likely run out next week, according to Dana Bar-On, the CEO of the…
“Importantly this study suggests that MDMA may be used safely as a treatment without side effects on these crucial social processes”, says Celia Morgan, senior author on the new research. There are undoubtedly limitations to this kind of research – relying on self-reported recreational drug use certainly results in a lack of control over product…
A number of studies, including two published just last month, have also found that cannabis can impact a person’s use of benzodiazepines. One found that 45 percent of participants ceased their benzo use by the end of the study period; the other saw 22 percent of participants substituting weed for benzos. As more and more prohibitionist cannabis policies are reversed…
Clearly, there is more to MDMA-assisted psychotherapy than just swallowing a pill. But, I have to wonder who is profiting when a drug with a street price of around $15 a pop may end up costing over 1,000x more after approval and regulation. Estimates [are] $15,000 as the standard price estimate for treatment with MDMA-assisted…
When we try to medicalize therapeutic drug experiences, a doctor’s note can become the difference between a “good” drug user and a “bad” drug user. But, in our broken medical system, medicalizing drug policy is a moral compromise. It redirects the movement, tilting compassion and liberty toward pathology, perpetuating the racist and stigmatizing overtones embedded…
The FDA recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) to schedule (as in, effectively ban) Kratom and its alkaloids threatens fledgling efforts by researchers to investigate the alkaloids as potential new pain treatments, would hinder scientific advances as well as crucial preclinical and clinical studies. In February 2018, the FDA commissioner released a statement declaring…
It’s the first time the synthetic opioid has been the nation’s deadliest drug. From 2012 to 2015, heroin topped the list, [according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]. On average, in each year from 2013 to 2016, the rate of overdose deaths from Fentanyl increased by about 113 percent a year. The report said fentanyl was responsible…
Recent Comments