:-)
Yet another study has failed to show a link between lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) or other psychedelic drugs and depression, anxiety, and suicidal thoughts or behaviors. In fact, investigators found a link between psychedelics and a decrease in inpatient psychiatric treatment.
These findings are similar to those of other recent studies and add to a growing body of literature indicating that psychedelic drugs may not only be safe but actually therapeutic when it comes to mental health.
"The research suggests that psychiatrists shouldnt be prejudiced against psychedelic drugs and that if they have patients who use these drugs, its not necessarily bad for them," study investigator Teri Suzanne Krebs, a PhD student and research fellow in the Department of Neuroscience, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, in Trondheim, told Medscape Medical News.
"Clinicians should know that it's possible to prescribe psychedelic drugs right now, today, although there could be some paperwork involved," she added.
This, she added, is spelled out in the United Nations 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances.
The new study was published online March 5 in the Journal of Psychopharmacology.
No Link to Mental Illness
For the study, Krebs worked with Pål-Ørjan Johansen, of EmmaSofia, a nonprofit company aiming to increase access to 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA) and psychedelics.
The investigators used the annual National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), which collects data on substance use and mental health from a random sample that is representative of the US civilian noninstitutionalized population. They pooled data from respondents aged 18 years and older from survey years 2008 to 2011.
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