The Birth of the Psychedelic Industry: Capitalising on the Psychedelic Renaissance
Future Humanities December 26, 2024 Minsu Yoo, Sofia Sakopoulos 7 citations
The psychedelic renaissance, a resurgence of interest in psychedelic medicine after decades of repression, is driven by scientific innovation and a flood of venture capital investment. Interviews with industry stakeholders reveal that private funding shapes research practices and public perceptions, creating tension between idealistic and capitalist narratives. The analysis highlights a paradox: psychedelic mysticism resists the rigid criteria of evidence-based medicine, challenging the psychopharmacological paradigm. The findings call for critical public engagement with the ethical dimensions of integrating psychedelics into mainstream medicine, focusing on the emergence of grey areas in capital networks where cultural and political values are rearranged.