Why Psychiatry Needs Psychedelics and Psychedelics Need Psychiatry

Psychiatry's reluctance to research psychedelic drugs for medical therapy overlooks compounds with great potential, while users who take them off-license are stigmatized as recreational abusers. Both psychiatrists and recreational users recognize the healing potential of these substances. Resolving this conflict is essential for the future of psychiatric medicine and psychedelic culture. Progress requires professionals to adapt to a conservative paradigm, enabling them to provide important treatments and elevate the profile of expanded consciousness in mainstream society.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Without researching psychedelic drugs for medical therapy, psychiatry is turning its back on a group of compounds that could have great potential. Without the validation of the medical profession, the psychedelic drugs, and those who take them off-license, remain archaic sentiments of the past, with the users maligned as recreational drug abusers and subject to continued negative opinion. These two disparate groups--psychiatrists and recreational psychedelic drug users--are united by their shared recognition of the healing potential of these compounds. A resolution of this conflict is essential for the future of psychiatric medicine and psychedelic culture alike. Progression will come from professionals working in the field adapting to fit a conservative paradigm. In this way, they can provide the public with important treatments and also raise the profile of expanded consciousness in mainstream society.