In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in psychedelics as therapeutic agents. In particular, psilocybin-containing mushrooms have been gaining attention as a potential treatment for mental health disorders.
While these mushrooms are currently illegal at the federal level, some states have legalized them for medicinal use. Could psychedelics eventually become federally legal?
It is likely that more research will be conducted on their therapeutic potential in the years to come and the psychedelic mushroom industry is poised to grow. However, it will likely be many years before any decisions are made about legalization at the federal level.
Keep reading to learn more about if psychedelic mushrooms will become federally legal and the research surrounding this topic.
What Are Psychedelics & Why Are They Illegal in the U.S.?
Psychedelics are a class of drugs that can produce profound changes in perception, mood, and consciousness. They include hallucinogens like LSD and psilocybin-containing mushrooms, as well as MDMA (ecstasy).
The use of psychedelics for recreational purposes became popular in the United States during the 1960s. However, with the rise of recreational drug use, came concerns about the potential for abuse and addiction. In addition, there were fears that psychedelics could lead to psychological problems. As a result, in 1970, the federal government made all psychedelics illegal.
Psychedelic mushrooms are considered the safest and most popular of all psychedelics. They are non-addictive and do not seem to cause long-term psychological problems in most users.
But is there a chance for psychedelics to become federally legal? Yes!
Let’s talk about the research.
Growing Research on Psychedelic Mushrooms as Therapeutic Agents
The Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research has been at the forefront of psilocybin research. The center has received $17 million from a group of private donors, making it the first and largest such research center in the United States and the world. It has received the first federal grant for psychedelic treatment research in 50 years from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) to study the benefits of psilocybin on tobacco addiction.
Additionally, numerous biotech companies are conducting psychedelic mushroom research. The list includes Atai Life Sciences, Compass Pathways, Cybin, and Numinus Wellness among others. They are seeking to use psychedelic mushrooms’ therapeutic potential for a range of mental health issues, including severe depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and addiction, and attempting to bring psychedelic mushroom-derived medications to the market.
This is a promising sign that the federal government is starting to take the potential of psychedelics seriously. However, it will likely be many years before any decisions are made about legalization. In the meantime, researchers will continue to study the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
What Are the Risks of Psychedelic Use?
Psychedelics can produce powerful and unpredictable effects. They can cause hallucinations, paranoia, and anxiety. Because of the risks associated with psychedelics, they should be used under the supervision of a qualified health professional.
Closing Thoughts
Psychedelics have been used for centuries for religious and spiritual purposes. In recent years, there has been a resurgence of interest in their potential therapeutic benefits. While psychedelics are currently illegal at the federal level, some states have legalized them for medicinal use.
As more research is conducted, we believe that federal legalization will eventually happen. Much like cannabis, we expect a legal marketplace to emerge within the next few years.
With this in mind, we can watch the cannabis industry and make predictions about the legal psychedelic mushrooms marketplace. As time passes, we should see more progress at the state and federal levels.