In beginning my research into the benefits of the therapeutic uses of psychedelic substances I have actually been surprised about the amount of information that I have discovered relating to the subject. Another surprise to me is that I am having a difficult time finding any scientific related studies arguing against the use of psychedelics used in controlled therapeutic settings. I have been using the Points of View Reference Center, Academic Search Premier and the Psychological and Behavioral Sciences engine under Ebsco to look for reputable sources for researching this subject as well as Google Scholar and basic internet searches.
One article that I found that I will be referencing in my final essay is titled "The Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs: Implications for the Treatment of Mood Disorders," written by Franz X. Vollenweider and Michael Kometer. The article shows how developments in neuroscience and neuroimaging can now show that "psychedelics modulate neural circuits that have been implicated in mood and affective disorders, and can reduce the clinical symptoms of these disorders." The article gives a breakdown of clinical research studies that have been conducted using MDMA, LSD, Psilocybin and Ketamine to treat a variety of symptoms and disorders such as depression, anxiety, OCD, heroin addiction, cluster headaches, and treatment of depression/anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients. The article Vollenweider and Kometer discuss extensively the effects of psychedelics on neural pathways and receptor sites, saying that the use of psychedelic substances can actually lead to developing new receptor sites associated with menat health. The authors also suggest that studying the use of these substances and how they affect the human brain could lead to breakthrough treatments and development of other possible treatments for the above mentioned symptoms and disorders in the future. The authors believe that further "well-controlled clinical studies, keeping in mind the controversial history of this class of drugs," need to be conducted.
I found this article very interesting as it pertains to neuroscience and that it is actually now possible for scientists to see how the brain is being affected by using neuroimaging, which was not available in the 1960's when this type of research first began and before it was shut down. This article also referenced many studies that I can also read that I think will help create a larger body of credible references for my essay.
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| photo-illustration by Kamram Samimi Michael |
I was having a hard time finding any information that is against the use of psychedelics in therapy that weren't in direct relation to their illegal status. I did find an article by Cliff Kincaid who is the Director of the AIM Center for Investigative Journalism on a website calles gulagbound.com which was actually on of the only anti medical psychedelic sources I could find so far. Kincaid discusses in his article how progressives are now pushing for psychedelics to be "legal prescription drugs." To support his argument against psychedelics being used as acceptable medical treatments he suggests that the legalization of medical marijuana in Colorado "is already out of control," using the shooting that occurred during the 420 celebration in Denver as evidence of the dangers of legalizing drugs for medical use. He also negatively refers to a former supporter of Obama who has also donated large sums to the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Sciences who happened to be a transgender woman. I'm a little confused as to how he thought that including the gender identity of this woman had anything to do with being against therapeutic or medicinal psychedelics. I actually found Kincaid's arguments weak and lacking evidence against therapeutic psychedelics and highly judgmental in referring to the possibility of the legalization of medical psychedelics by saying "It is coming to pass under Obama, thanks to his transgendered backer."
I am going to continue looking for other arguments against my research topic so that I can form a strong argument base. I hope that I am able to find some arguments that are not as biased and opinionated as the above mentioned article was.
Works Cited:
Vollenweider, Franz X. and Kometer, Michael. "The Neurobiology of Psychedelic Drugs: Implications for the Treatment of Mood Disorders." Nature Reviews Neuroscience. 11.9 Sept. 2010: 642-651. Ebsco. Web 2 Nov. 2013.
Kincaid, Cliff. "Progressives Now Want Psychedelic Medicine." Gulag Bound. Gulag Bound by Gulag Media, May 1, 2013. Web 2 Nov. 2013.
HI Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteI think that most of us have changed our views about what are argument is going to be due to the resources we have searched or found. I was very intrigued in your research about Psychedelic therapy. I never had a bad view or good view about this type of therapy. It's good to know that this is actually helping people. The research being developed is continually improving this type of therapy for those who need it. Are there any negative effects on this type of treatment? what are the most common effects? those would be very interesting to know.
So far your research is fascinating! I am unsure if the legalization of substances like MDMA are being looked at as something that would only be used during a therapy session? Or would it be something that would be prescribed as say, Xanax is. I have no idea where the research is at currently with MDMA, but I know that about ten years ago there were studies being done on animals that showed long term brain damage to serotonin levels. After 7 years, the animals were still not fully recovered mentally. I am very curious if there have been chemical alterations to this drug to make it more effective in long term help, instead of short term happy with long term unhappy. I also don't think many people understand the difference between street drugs that are made wherever out of who knows what, and pharmaceutical medication. There is a difference. Great job so far!
ReplyDeleteOne way to approach finding research that supports the opposition would be to find articles that discuss the negative impacts of these kinds of drugs on the brain, both short term and long term, like Rebecca suggests. I also think the brain is still a fairly unknown entity. We're learning more and more about it everyday, but we still don't know everything. One thing that would make me question this kind of treatment would be the inability to determine how patient's brains would react on these psychedelics. These are pretty unpredictable, aren't they? Even if it were in a controlled setting, it's not like the doctor is giving them a beer, which albeit mind altering is not incapacitating like a psychedelic would be. Before I decided on whether or not I found this to be a good form of treatment, I'd want to know more about the possible complications that can happen, which you might find in articles about the negative effects of psychedelics on the brain.
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer!
ReplyDeleteAs Ness also stated, I am having a hard time with research to back up my argument. Instead, I am finding a lot more information on my counterpoints, so this will either change my point of view after I have been more educated, or I am going to have a very strong counter-argument.
This research is very interesting to me. Originally when I read your research question my answer was "no." I think there is definitely a lot of stereotype for the use of psychedelic drugs. As someone who is unfamiliar with the drug before reading your summary of resources I was definitely confused as to why this would even be an option. However, after reading some of the information I can understand why, in a controlled setting, the use of psychedelic drugs could help patients. If possible, you should really cover all counter-points. When people are talking about any sort of drug related substance, there is always concern about the long-term effect, additives, personality altering traits, and control of the substance. If you can address all of those concerns first, I think your audience will then "listen" to what you have to say instead of shutting it down immediately because they are not completely informed.
Good luck on the continuation of research!
Brittany
The research you have found so far is awesome, and it really is interesting to me that this is such a positive thing. I had never looked down upon it, but its intriguing that others feel the same way. I would be interested to know what people who were against this had to say about it helping heroin addicts. It sounds like solving drugs with more drugs, but i understand its much more complex then that.Also for some interesting research would be the recent overdoses on MDMA at music festivals, and maybe compare what therapeutic use is compared to abusing these drugs unsafely. Also it would be cool to see what some patients who have personally been healed, or not, have to say about the benefits, or the downsides.
ReplyDeleteThis is really awesome keep on going!
-Jackson