The use of psychedelics, substances that alter our mental state, has been a controversial topic over the years. According to the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act, 1985- in India, a person is not allowed to produce, manufacture, cultivate, possess, sell, buy transport, store, or use any narcotic drugs and psychotropic substance.
A psychotropic drug is a substance that changes or alters our mood, perception, behaviour, and feelings. Psychedelics are psychotropic drugs. They include LSD, mescaline, psilocybin (magic mushroom), ecstasy, ketamine, etc. The act was the result of the UN Single Convention on Narcotic Drugs held in 1961 to reduce the menace of drug use. India, being one of the signatories, passed the act nearly 25 years later, in 1985.
The origin of the use of psychedelics predates written history. Back then, they were used in religious practices to catalyze spiritual experiences and are still used in some religious ceremonies. Researchers gained interest in psychedelics during the 1950s, as a result of which thousands of research papers were published showing the effectiveness of these drugs in treating mental disorders such as depression, alcoholism, and psycho-spiritual distress. However, there were several reasons why research on these drugs was abandoned:
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Tighter regulation of pharmaceutical research following the Thalidomide Disaster of 1963.
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The “War on Drugs” under Richard Nixon.
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The trials of the 1970s were not as positive as those claimed during the past decades.
Western countries have seen a resurgence in psychedelic research in recent years. For example, several double-blind placebo-controlled trials have shown promising results in reducing anxiety and depression that come with the distress of cancer patients. Individuals with alcohol and nicotine addiction have also benefited from psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. In India, although there is no active psychedelic research going on, individuals have a growing interest in these substances as is evident from several social media groups and pages.
Today, the perceived harms of psychedelics, such as them being neurotoxic and having potential for addiction have been refuted, but there are risks of psychotic episodes and overdoses. These risks need to be minimized by careful selection of patients and preparation. The classification of psychedelics, i.e., their being psychotropic and thus illegal, in the NDPS act remains a debatable issue, but clinical studies are growing and demonstrating how these drugs can be used safely under medical supervision and proper guidance. The future holds hope, but as is with people, so is with science and drugs-with great power comes great responsibility.
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About the Author.
Baishali Joardar is a psychologist at MindTribe.in. You can learn more about her by clicking here
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of MindTribe.in, the Founders, or management team.
Acknowledgement: All images used are open source and from Unsplash.