Washington Warms Up to Psychedelics for Mental Health Solutions
In an unprecedented move, a bipartisan coalition in Washington, including Biden health officials, is rallying behind the potential of psychedelics to address America's escalating mental health crisis.
A Shift in Perception
Once synonymous with countercultural escapades and Timothy Leary's famous call to "turn on, tune in, and drop out," psychedelics are now being viewed through a therapeutic lens. The focus has shifted from rebellion to healing deep-seated psychological traumas. The FDA has already greenlit a psychedelic for depression treatment, and both Congress and the nation's top drug regulator are advocating for further research into the therapeutic potential of these substances.
Governmental Support
Rep. Morgan Luttrell (R-Texas), a former Navy SEAL, has publicly credited psychedelics with aiding his recovery from a traumatic helicopter crash in 2009. He stated, “The results that are coming out are just groundbreaking.” Bipartisan support is evident with Democrats like Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (NY) and Lou Correa (CA), and Republicans including Dan Crenshaw (TX) and Jack Bergman (MI) endorsing the cause. Legislative moves are underway, with the House's appropriations bill for the Department of Veterans Affairs pushing for clinical studies on psychedelics.
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Challenges Ahead
Despite the momentum, there are hurdles. The DEA classifies most psychedelics as high-risk substances with no recognized medical application. However, they have granted permissions for academic and corporate entities to research these drugs.
Jonathan Havens, a partner at Saul Ewing law firm, emphasized the need for Washington's endorsement to truly harness the therapeutic potential of psychedelics on a commercial scale.
The Road to Commercialization
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), after years of advocacy and research, is gearing up to seek regulatory approval for MDMA (often known as ecstasy) by year-end. If approved, MDMA could be an FDA-sanctioned PTSD treatment by 2024.
Promising Results
Unlike classic psychedelics, MDMA is an entactogen, fostering emotional openness rather than hallucinations. A 2021 MAPS-led Phase 3 trial revealed that 67% of participants, when treated with MDMA and therapy, no longer met PTSD diagnostic criteria. This was in stark contrast to the 32% in the placebo group.
Furthermore, psilocybin, found in magic mushrooms, is undergoing Phase 3 trials for treating depression. Preliminary results from a study by biotech firm COMPASS Pathways have shown promise, though the long-term efficacy needs further exploration.
Conclusion
As the mental health crisis deepens, the potential of psychedelics as therapeutic agents is gaining traction in Washington. With bipartisan support and promising research results, the future of psychedelic-assisted therapy looks brighter than ever.
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References:
The Great Good Place, Ray Oldenberg
Nature, 2021, MDMA and PTSD Study
New England Journal of Medicine, Psilocybin Study
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