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Benefits of Psychedelic Drugs

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Benefits of Psychedelic Drugs
Benefits of Psychedelic Drugs Since the 1960s, psychedelic drugs have been illegal. A wave swept through the United States during the sixties causing a shift in personal views and values. During this period, many people abused psychedelic drugs giving the substances a bad reputation. In order to prevent the spread of the psychedelic movement, psychedelic drugs were made illegal in the United States, as well as in other countries. Although the growing popularity and usage of the substances had ruined the reputation as a medicine, scientists had been studying the effects at that time and the laws put in place had prevented further research. Many of these researchers saw great potential in these substances, and until recently, were not allowed to run any trials or experiments. In the sixties, serious research had been conducted with remarkable results. Patients suffering with mental conditions saw positive results when administered certain psychedelic substances, such as LSD or Psilocybin, under strictly controlled conditions (Sidney Cohen). Researchers sometimes tried the substances on themselves, revealing a completely new understanding of consciousness. From recent therapeutic studies, mind-altering drugs, such as LSD, ketamine, Psilocybin mushrooms, ibogaine, mescaline, and DMT, “could be combined with psychotherapy to treat people suffering from depression, compulsive disorders or chronic pain. (Kelland, China Daily)” The sixties era had fogged the truth about psychedelics and there are a number of misconceptions about these substances that result from the lack of education on the subject. The therapeutic value of psychedelics is often overlooked.
LSD and Cluster Headaches In the 1950s, psychedelic agents began to be studied and used in therapy in the United States. In 1938, LSD was first synthesized and its psychoactive effects were first discovered accidentally by Albert Hofmann in 1943. During the 1950s and 1960s, LSD was used in psychiatric research


Bibliography: Cohen, Sidney. The beyond Within; the LSD Story,. New York: Atheneum, 1964. Print. Horgan, John. "Are Psychedelics Bad for You?" Slate Magazine 3 May 2003: 21-23. Print. 1 Oct. 2012. Kupferschmidt, Kai. "LSD Alleviates 'Suicide Headaches '" - ScienceNOW. ScienceNOW, 27 June 2011. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. . Kelland, Kate. "Scientists Probe the Benefits of Psychedelic Drugs." Editorial. China Daily 19 Aug. 2010: n. pag. Scientists Probe the Benefits of Psychedelic Drugs. China Daily. Web. 02 Oct. 2012. . Passie, Torsten, John Halpern, Dirk Stichtenoth, Hinderk Emrich, and Annelie Hintzen. The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review. Rep. Hannover: CNS Neuroscience & Therapeutics, 2008. Print. Sohn, Emily. "Magic Mushrooms Could Treat Depression." Discovery News. Discovery News, 23 Jan. 2012. Web. 04 Oct. 2012. .
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