Mental illness is considered the ultimate killer of the human mind. Anxiety disorders and depression are the most common mental illnesses in the United States, with more than 40 million adults over the age of 18 currently diagnosed (ADAA). Although various medications can be prescribed and provided to lessen the effects these disorders have on a person’s health, scientists and doctors have been continuing to research for more long-term and permanent solutions. Recently, the reemergence of a more natural type of therapy, psychedelic therapy, has shined a light of hope on those suffering from anxiety and depression due to the developments of new technology and expansion on previous studies. Psychedelic therapy is described as the therapeutic use of psychedelic drugs such as lysergic acid diethylamide and psilocybin to treat those who are suffering from mental illness, specifically aforementioned anxiety and depression disorders. However, the main question that has been slowing the development of this research is whether or not scientists and doctors should be given the authority to further conduct studies with these illegal drugs on suffering patients. With the accumulation of knowledge and the expansion of technology in present-day society, it is evident that the medical benefits of LSD and psilocybin, such as an altered consciousness, the insight therapists gain, the assurance of safety, faster outcomes, and economic benefits, outweigh the legality and ethical issue surrounding the conversation of these drugs. 

The unique history behind the experimentation and discovery of this treatment shows the constant struggle doctors and scientists had to face in order to test their theories of the medical advantages they believed these drugs could provide. Starting in 1938, one scientist by the name of Albert Hoffman, created the drug called synthesized lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), the first major synthesized psychedelic drug, by mixing together different chemicals one day in hopes of looking for a blood stimulant (The Truth About LSD). When creating this drug, he mistakenly found out the effects this drug has on the human body by accidentally rubbing the substance on his mouth. Hoffman realized how even a dose of LSD as small as a grain of salt could cause major physical and mental effects, including increased heart rate and hallucinations. It wasn’t until the 1950s that scientists met with various doctors on the topic of LSD and the possible medical benefits this drug could provide to those suffering several mental illnesses. One major complication these experts faced was the emergence of the Woodstock era. The 1960’s are defined by the hippie counter-culture craze that invaded the lives of every citizen in the United States and around the world (Bhaddock). During this time in history, the “hippy” population was hooked on the recreational use of LSD and a new drug found present in magic mushrooms, psilocybin. This contributed to the common taboo that still remains around the topic of psychedelics, where these drugs are used in an unhealthy environment and overused, they tend to cause detrimental effects on the human body and mind. In the United States, the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 was passed over the objections of dozens of high-level psychiatric researchers, and put psychedelics in the most restrictive schedule along with heroin and above cocaine (The Department of History and Philosophy Science). Through the various laws being passed to ban the use of psychedelics, the negative perspective on these drugs grew exponentially. In contradiction to past belief, recent studies and new technology has been able to show the possible medical advantages these drugs may be able to offer. 

One of the major and obvious reasons that psychedelics should be used in therapeutic sessions is the altered state of consciousness these drugs can cause on the human brain. In a scholarly book dedicated to the explanation of psychedelic drugs and their effects, the author states, “The short term effects (of psychedelics) include intense visual imagery, and other sensory phenomena, euphoria and elation, and heightened intellectual functioning” (Ungerleider). These types of drugs can provide tremendous benefits to those suffering from anxiety related mental illnesses by showing them a different perspective on life, one more peaceful and serene than the one they live in now. One example is an experience shared by a local news director in the New Yorker who suffered from depression and anxiety soon after being diagnosed with cancer. After reading an article about an ongoing trial of psychedelic treatments that were taking place at N.Y.U., the news director decided to sign up. His main motivation behind looking into these treatments was his hopes of being more accepting of his dying health. In the article, the author explains the descriptions of the experience that the patient, and also others following him were exposed to. Multiple testimonials share, “They were saying things like ‘I understand love is the most powerful force on the planet,’ or ‘I had an encounter with my cancer, this black cloud of smoke.’ People who had been palpably scared of death—they lost their fear” (Pollan). The effects that these drugs have on the human mind can better off patients who deal with anxiety by showing them the beauty of life and a more serene was of dealing with things happening in their personal life. 

Not only does this treatment help patients with their perspective on life, but it will also give more insight when it comes to the therapist to narrow out the main causes of different people’s anxiety and depression. Throughout the session, the therapist conducting this procedure will ask various questions and use certain props to engage patients to talk about what they are feeling in their “altered consciousness”. One patient explains the experience he endured during psychedelic therapy, while suffering from depression after the death of his wife. He states, “Shortly after, the doctor gave me a picture of my wife to look at. I saw something which I had never seen before. From her heart, there seemed to swell out a flow of love. It seemed to be a tangible thing. Although I couldn’t touch it, I knew it was real, and I knew she loved me” (Pollan). By hearing patients explain what they are experiencing in their “trip”, psychiatrists can begin to draw better designed conclusions on what the main causes of these mental illnesses are and how they can be avoided. As well as the healthier mindset that can be provided to patients and extensive knowledge therapists can gain from these sessions, the specific setup of these treatments contribute to the argument to support psychedelic therapy. 

Another reason that the exploration of psychedelic treatment should be legalized is the precautions and structure of the therapy session that provides an assurance of safety to patients and others involved. In history, there have been various instances of people using LSD or psilocybin recreationally and experiencing a “bad trip”. A “bad trip” can be described as frightening hallucinations, triggered negative emotions, and intense body rections such as heavy sweating. This experience can be caused by various reasons, including taking psychedelics in an unsafe and unhealthy environment as well as taking too big of a dose. In his autobiography, LSD, My Problem Child, Hofmann writes that after taking a too-large dose, he felt as if “a demon had invaded me, had taken possession of my mind, body and soul” (Harvey). However, the limited doctors who have had the permission to conduct these types of therapy have a very structured session and precise measurements to make sure these “bad trips” don’t occur. A therapist interviewed for the New Yorker describes the specifics as, “(The sessions) would take place in a room decorated to look more like a living room than like a medical office, with a comfortable couch and landscape paintings on the wall. During each session, which would last the better part of a day, (the patient) would lie on the couch wearing an eye mask and listening through headphones to a carefully curated playlist” (Pollan). By taking these precautions of using a more comfortable setting, rather than an experimentation room, patients are more likely to find inner peace and take control of their mental state. In addition to these safety measures, therapists will meet with patients before the treatment to search for any other outstanding characteristics that could bring difficulty to the treatment. Since hallucinogens can sometimes bring to the surface latent psychological problems, researchers try to weed out volunteers at high risk by asking questions about drug use and whether there is a family history of schizophrenia or bipolar disorder (Pollen). This screening process also helps with the surrounding legality issue by only giving to those who can administer a safe therapy session in a healthy environment and prevent dangerous situations from occurring. Although these drugs prove to have various benefits, LSD and psilocybin have been known to have a risky, unhealthy period of time when it comes to using them socially. 

In the past, there have been various situations where psychedelic drugs have been the blame behind dangerous crimes and situations in society. A story about a man arrested for a violent matricide who claimed to be on LSD was highly publicized, but when it emerged that he was actually a schizophrenic who had consumed large quantities of alcohol and barbiturates, these facts were hardly reported (The Department of History and Philosophy Science). During the outbreak of various protests against the government and their unpopular decisions in the 1960’s, the use of psychedelic drugs recreationally were also beginning to grow. The government, naturally, was quick to use these new and foreign drugs as a scapegoat to blame for the cause of societal chaos. However, this should not have been the case. If used in a safe environment and with the right of dosage, LSD and psilocybin can be effectively used to treat those suffering from major mental illnesses that are causing major pain throughout our nation. 

Although there has been a history of taboo affiliated with psychedelics, with access to these drug-induced treatments, patients suffering from anxiety and depression can see hope after a single session of psychedelic therapy rather than dreading the ongoing medication or weekly sessions with a therapist, that provide minimal short term effects. Because therapy patients often view therapy as a panacea—something which they will only try when life gets impossible—the disappointment you feel when therapy does not work can be deep, cutting, and profoundly demoralizing (Young). Doctors who have had the privilege of conducting these trials have seen positive short and long term results from patients after one session of psychedelic therapy. One patient explains the effect LSD had on their future perspective in life, “I felt that I had changed and that I would henceforth view life and its problems in an entirely different perspective. I felt I knew the real meaning of compassion and humility,” (Kurland). Months after therapy, therapists have the chance to follow up with their patients to test the effectiveness of these treatments. In a study explained in a scholarly report by four scientists, they tested multiple patients suffering from multiple variations of depression by giving them doses of LSD, and followed up with them several months after the fact. A reversal of the pattern of pathological functioning was apparently initiated during the active treatment phase, which appears not only to consolidate but to continue. Scientist’s explain, “This patient has remained abstinent at six months and his wife reported him, as we might guess, to be “a changed man” (Pollan). Patients will learn from this altered state of consciousness the reason behind their pain and anxiety, and by talking through with the therapist while in this state of consciousness, they will learn a new perspective of life that’s less complicated than before. 

While psychedelic therapy can be a tremendous benefit to patients physically and mentally, it can also prove to be an economic advantage. Current medication to treat anxiety and depression can cost anywhere from thirty to two-hundred dollars per month, and is not always covered by insurance companies. To some people who are economically struggling in today’s society, this can be a major roadblock preventing them from getting the help they need. On the other hand, instead of paying monthly for medication that may not even work with one’s individualistic needs, a simple solution would be a one-time payment for psychedelic therapy. Because preliminary evidence suggests psychedelic therapies require relatively time-limited interventions (i.e., they do not involve long-term ongoing courses of pharmacotherapeutic intervention), they may prove to be economically viable in comparison with currently available treatments (Tupper). If it was known that there was a one-time solution that could psychologically aid a patient’s mental health while saving them an extensive amount of money by rejecting the alternate solution, who wouldn’t want to try it? This proves that while the obvious effects psychedelic therapy can have on a patient is mainly physical and mental, the economic benefits this type of therapy can provide would positively affect society all the greater.  

Mental illness is a widespread issue that has brought pain and suffering to not only our nation, but the world, for centuries of existence. Psychedelic therapy is a new type of psychotherapy that can bring hope to millions of people suffering in our nation today. Although these studies as a whole have struggled through controversy and debate throughout the years, the recent exploration of this new therapy has shown the true possibilities they have to offer. Psychedelic therapy, involving lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and psilocybin, should be legalized overall due to the medical advantages it can bring to our nation, including altering patient’s mindsets into a healthier state, providing insight to therapists, introducing a safe environment, faster and more effective results, and economic benefits. To think that the millions of people suffering from major mental illnesses all over the country could be helped within one therapy session of psychedelics, it would be inhumane to keep this therapy hidden from the population. 
