Medical Mushrooms??
John Hopkins Medical recently published an article saying that Psilocybin may become a schedule IV drug if it is to pass phase 3 clinical trials. To most, this is extremely surprising. This country has seen the entire process and aftermath of the War on Drugs. The entire time, drugs such as Marijuana, which is perceived as a much safer in effect and potency than Psilocybin, actually got most of the government-funded spotlight. Now in 2018, times have changed. Many (31) sell marijuana medically, and a handful (9) allow recreational marijuana usage. Now, medical research is branching out into theDrug research and decriminalization is now extending beyond, and looking to a psychedelic for some rather breakthrough medical findings. The FDA, whose integrity relies on its ability to keep the public safe, has used excellent researchers to look for all signs of addiction and harm to any users. Most studies with psilocybin have actually been very underwhelming. Most humans surveyed to have taken them have done so very rarely, and when mice were given the control to keep receiving psilocybin they had no interest. These results are comforting to see, especially when comparing to other controlled substances.
So with addiction out of the picture, researchers also took harm and side effects into perspective. Turns out, magic mushrooms do not have a (known) lethal dosage, and this definitely separates it from it's lower-scheduled competition. So they're seen as medically safe, and non-addictive. What are the next steps?
If Psilocybin is to pass phase 3 clinical trials, the FDA will then be allowed to petition the reclassification of the drug. The most honest expectancy is that it will become a schedule IV drug, and that these trials will "take place in the next five years or so". If this is to pass, it will become a tightly controlled substance that can only be given through a prescription. It will possibly be prescribed for smoking-cessation, depression, especially if it is cancer-related, or possibly for anxiety.
Posted by Andrew Davis
I had no clue that such studies were being done so this is really interesting to learn about. I'm curious as to how strict the use of this would be if it does get passed, and as to how the public would react. I feel as if with medical marijuana, there was a lot of public support for the matter, but I do not know if that would be as widespread in this situation. What do you think caused them to look into Psilocybin, and do you believe it could be extended to possibly treat other things as well?
ReplyDeleteAlexandra McGuire
What caused them to initially look into psilocybin was a series of tests on psychedelics on terminally-ill cancer patients, to which the results were seemingly positive. Almost all subjects reported that they used the experience to come to terms with their situation and find peace. I personally believe there will be much more backlash against the rescheduling of the drug. Although it is naturally occurring and not harmful to the body, it is still a potent hallucinogen, which makes it dangerous to the public. I believe it will only be used for cancer patients, to help with depression and coming to terms with their condition. So far most research points towards Psilocybin being useful for mental health problems, but much more research and discussion needs to happen before it is applied in that manner.
DeleteI am glad to see that scientists have started researching more into drugs. This research could result in expansion of treatments and possibly cures to certain diseases. I am also curious to see how Psilocybin will be advertised to the public and health officials, and if they would be able to get rid of any negative social condensation.
ReplyDelete-Rachel Klett
This was definitely an interesting read. I did not know that this was even being studied considering how tight our country is on drugs. Is this something that you think could go widespread from state to state? I'm interested in looking more into this on my own.
ReplyDeletePosted by Josha Cruz
I am curious as to how this would aid in helping depression as compared to a typical anti-depressant?
ReplyDeletePosted by Lauren Hiller
So far most research is about psychedelic microdosing, which is when you take around 1/10th of a standard recreational dose. Thusly, it is not enough to give a hallucinogenic effect. What is found is that under small doses of hallucinogens brain activity is heightened and patterned differently, resulting in mood elevation, problem solving, and emotional balance. It's a very interesting topic in pharmacology today, considering only 38% of those on anti-depressants claim they feel their medication is effective.
DeleteWhat about studies on how Psilocybin works in patients that are already taking other medications? Often, taking multiple medications together can induce side effects that you wouldn't see if taking them individually; and in the case where multiple drugs are taken, the side effects are often worse in magnitude than if you just took one of the drugs. Also, would Psilocybin have a cancelling effect on antidepressants if it's a psychedelic?
ReplyDeletePosted by "Chandler Kupris"
I had recently heard someone talking about how California legalized mushrooms. I never looked into it to find out if it was true or not. However, I definitely did not know that they were testing "magic mushrooms" and thinking about reclassifying them. Do you think this will affect the ability of people to get mushrooms who do not have a prescription? Also I heard once that these do not show up in drug screenings, so is there a way that they would be able to test to see if the prescription is actually being used by the person it's supposed to?
ReplyDeletePosted by Danielle Bermingham