Magic Mushroom Monopolies Threaten The Benefits of Psychedelics: The Chicken Who Laid Golden Eggs
Psilocybin has just gotten “breakthrough” status with the FDA. Meaning that magic mushrooms are one step closer to being available to treat a range of mental health conditions, starting with end-of-life existential dread and more general depression.
I almost want to get clinically depressed, so I can be eligible for the drug trials.
Michael Pollan’s book, How To Change Your Mind, changed my mind. As did a recent panel at the World Science Festival on developing psychedelic research.
I believe the science that suggests that psychedelics have the potential to alleviate a great deal of suffering in the world. I believe they also create the possibility of a much-needed shake-up in our current norms of behavior and our priorities for the good of humanity, by enabling new ways of thinking and being. I’ve written before about my belief in the positive potential of psychedelics.
But (!) there’s a danger that the very substances, which might free us from the root sources of — our depression, our increasing isolation, our environmental recklessness and our inability to see the vital connection between ourselves and all other living things — will be over exploited for their commercial value. So, we will destroy the…
