Psychedelics in clinical settings

As a response to issues surrounding addiction and mental health, state legislatures across the country are experimenting with the decriminalization of psychedelic drugs. Assembly Bill A10375 would decriminalize the purchase, possession and licensed cultivation of psilocybin, a naturally occurring psychedelic compound with potential therapeutic effects. The bill is set to be reintroduced this year in New York. 

Last week, Colorado’s House Bill 25-1063 advanced with nearly unanimous bipartisan approval. This Colorado bill permits the prescription, distribution, possession and use of FDA-approved synthetic psilocybin. Oregon has already been ahead of the curve with Measure 109, promoting similar initiatives since 2020. Although psychedelics remain illegal under federal law, the California cities of Oakland and Santa Cruz have also joined the movement. 

Supporting the decriminalization and study of psychedelics is a bold but necessary step forward. Now is the time to prioritize science over stigma and embrace a progress-based approach to drug policy, as long as it’s done responsibly. It’s clear that current measures to address harmful cycles of addiction and mental health aren’t working. With appropriate oversight and consistent research, psychedelics have significant potential in mental health treatment, demonstrating a pragmatic, science-based approach to public health.

Naturally occurring hallucinogens, including lysergic acid diethylamide, also known as LSD; mescaline, commonly known as peyote; and psilocybin, have been influential in neuroscience since the mid-20th century. These substances bind to the same neural receptor as serotonin, a neurotransmitter that governs mood and many other essential functions. Research indicates that psychedelics have restorative abilities to repair damaged neural pathways that are often associated with a number of mental disorders. 

Remedial psychedelic proposals are emerging to counter widespread public health crises, including surging rates of substance addiction and poor mental health. Psychedelics have been studied in managing post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), several mood disorders, substance use disorders and psychological distress associated with life-threatening illness. Although using hallucinogens may seem provocative at first glance, substantial evidence supports that they have productive effects when administered in controlled settings. 

There is still ambiguity surrounding the precise mechanisms of psychedelics and how exactly they combat mental disorders. Research from the United Kingdom’s Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs suggests the risks posed by psychedelics are relatively low, especially compared to other compounds. However, irresponsible and dangerous use is still entirely possible. 

Psychedelics are known to pose a number of threats, including psychotic events, which are mostly validated by anecdotal accounts. It causes elevated heart rate and blood pressure, and poses specific risks to people with brain injuries or conditions like epilepsy. While addiction to psychedelic substances is generally uncommon, the concerns ultimately depend on specific substance classification. Psilocybin, for example, poses less risk than methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), also called ecstasy. 

There’s a clear necessity for controlled, strictly clinical parameters when it comes to decriminalizing psychedelics. However, the sheer cost of these substances, when responsibly and legally obtained,  impedes accessibility significantly. Advocates for decriminalization often support recreational cultivation, distribution and use of therapeutic substances to offset associated costs. At the same time, critics argue that the risks of emerging gray markets are too high. Massachusetts state legislature has acknowledged that potentially dangerous recreational markets may undermine the beneficial clinical avenues for therapeutic psychedelics. 

Given the hazy understanding of psychedelics’ precise impacts, restricting their legality to medical settings does seem to be the most viable option to ensure safety and well-being. Experts agree the psychedelic market is unlikely to boom in the same way the cannabis market did. But just because there may be fewer opportunities for accessing this mode of treatment doesn’t mean those opportunities are inconsequential. If anything, gaining more clarity on their long-term advantages could help increase accessibility in the future. 

Therapeutic psychedelics have garnered notable political support. Last month, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced that it would fund a study on MDMA-assisted therapy for veterans with PTSD. Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the incoming secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, has publicly expressed his support for legalizing controlled psychedelic use. These developments suggest promising prospects for accelerated research and the potential for faster access to treatment for pressing mental health conditions. 

As long as they are limited to curative avenues, it seems that psychedelics can alter much more than just the minds of the nation at large. Legalization can also advance medical research, promote safer access to substances and encourage individuals struggling with addiction to seek treatment rather than defaulting to carceral institutions. The growing momentum behind psychedelic decriminalization reflects a shift in how society views drug policy, health care and mental health. 

Casey Mendoza is an Opinion Intern for the winter 2025 quarter. He can be reached at caseym4@uci.edu. 

Edited by Isabella Ehring and Jaheem Conley

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