Neuroscientist Probe Psychedelic Psilocybin

[neuroflux]

Neuroscientists Probe Psychedelic Psilocybin

 

In the 1950s scientists studied the effects of so-called psychedelics: psilocybin from mushrooms, mescaline from cacti and the synthetic lysergic acid diethylamide, or LSD. British psychiatrist Humphry Osmond coined the name for this class of drugs based on their mind-altering properties, such as changes in the sense of self. The drugs showed some initial promise in treating chronic pain and depression in terminally ill patients but a wave of recreational abuse in the late 1960s led to outlawing and a halt in research. Now a new, rigorous, double-blind study has reopened the doors of scientific investigation, reporting spiritual effects and long-term impacts from the use of psilocybin.

 

Neuroscientist Roland Griffiths of Johns Hopkins University and his colleagues tested the effects of psilocybin--a drug derived from certain mushrooms that appears to mimic the effects of serotonin in the brain--on 36 middle-aged Americans who had never tried psychedelics before. These "squares" ranged in age from 24 to 64 and included 14 men and 22 women, the majority of whom were college graduates, successful in their careers and participants in some form of spiritual activity.

 

The researchers randomly assigned the participants to receive psilocybin in either their first or second testing session. When not given psilocybin, the subjects received methylphenidate, more commonly known as Ritalin, which shares some of the pharmacological effects of its psychedelic counterpart. Prior to these sessions, the subjects met several times with a team of medical professionals who would monitor their experiences in order to establish trust and comfort.

 

More at Scientific American...

[TheBigDog]

Interesting article, and fascinating research. It seems to tell me that the research may have some merit in supervised and controlled environments such as were described, but that the independent recreational use of the drugs is both ill advised and counter to the prospect of further studies being authorized. Funny that you would be here encouraging independant use and quoting articles that caution against it. Ah, but you say so many things that there are examples for any direction you may choose.

 

Bill

[C1ay]

You cannot copy and paste complete stories that are copyrighted. Please use only a Fair Use excerpt and a link to the source.

[neuroflux]

of course the Medical community is going to say that.

But come on,,,I think that these molecules were used in a little different setting than a clinic.

 

Your o so quick to point out my faults, or what you deem as faults on my part. constanly belittling me and the words i write.

Why are you so negetive? Its sucks when someone takes a positve thing, like this study and turns it around on a negetive line of thought...thanks!

 

As far as copywriting goes i will instead post a link to the information.

Thanks

NF

[Tormod]

Your o so quick to point out my faults, or what you deem as faults on my part. constanly belittling me and the words i write.

Why are you so negetive? Its sucks when someone takes a positve thing, like this study and turns it around on a negetive line of thought...thanks!

 

C1ay, as editor and admin, is doing his job when pointing out that you are violating our rules by posting copyrighted material. If you do it again, we will close you account. Copyright is something we respect at Hypography and it has nothing to do with you or your attitude.

 

If you dislike our rules, please go elsewhere rather than pecking at them.

[IDMclean]

Funny that you would be here encouraging independant use and quoting articles that caution against it.

 

Well at least he isn't cherry picking only articles which support his premise. It's good practise to bring forward all views regarding an issue and then concider which one is the best by it's various virtues.

 

I would call that good practice of impartial examination.