The Psychedelic Re-Emergence

Описание: This 7-min micro-lecture offers a brief introduction to Psychedelic Science and Research, using Mastinu et al's introduction section to their 2023 publication "Bright Side of Psychedelics" as our guide.

I. Cultural Outcasts to Medical Frontrunners
(A) Global Mental Health Crisis
Mental Illness: 2nd lead cause of Global Disease Burden (GBD, 2019).
(B) Crisis for New Psychiatric Drugs
1960s: LSD effects on 5-HT receptors & mental health →
Neurochemical perspective on mental health pathology & care.
5-HT Pharmacotherapy Boom (MAOs, SSRIs, TCAs, SNRIs).
2000s: Many mental health issues resistant to current treatments.
Need for new therapies (including new psychiatric drugs).
(C) Solution: "Look Back for the Future"
"The crisis of new psychiatric drugs has led pharmacologists to
Re-evaluate past molecules" (specifically, psychedelics).

II. Timeline of Psychedelic Science
(1) Indigenous & Traditional Use.
~8000 BCE: Shamans use psychedelic plants & fungi for healing & spritiual rituals.
(2) Colonial Science & Cultural Uptake
1938: Albert Hoffman synthesizes LSD from ergot (fungus) derivative.
1958: Hofmann isolates & synthesizees psilocybin ("Indocybin").
1960s: ~300 scientific Psychedelic publications strong clinical use.
(A): EU: "Psycholytic" microdoses "loosen defenses" in talk therapy.
(B) US: "Psychedelic" macrodoses "snap folks out of clinical states."
Western Culture: Fascination among artists & intellects.
(3) "The Freeze"
1970: Controlled Substance Act classifies psychedelics as Scheule I.
("High abuse potential; no medical value or use; no accepted safety").
(4) "Re-Emergence"
1990s: Privately funded research sparks new wave of interst.
2018: Michael Poland publishes "How to Change your Mind."
2020: OR Measure 109: 1st legal psilocybin services program in U.S.
2021: FDA designates Psilocybin "breakthrough therapy."
2022: CO Prop 122 decriminalizes natural psychedelic possession, growing & sharing.
2025: CO initiates regulatory process for legal psilocybin healing centers.

III. Spotlight on Psilocybin
(A) Active ingredient in "magic mushrooms."
(B) 7000 BCE - 1300 AD: Rock mural & codex reference use in Algeria, Spain, MesoAmerica.
(C) Physical//Material Actions:
(i) Ingestion (psilocybin in consumed).
(ii) Conversion (body converts psilocybin to the active form, psilocin).
(iii) Targeting (Psilocin crosses blood brain barrier; acts in the brain).
(Targets serotoni's 2A receptors & TrkB, glutamate).
(iv) Reset (Psilocin's receptor interactions enhance neural plasticity).
(Specifically actions on 5-HT2A, BDNF/TrkB, glutamate).
Enable "Re-Set" in brain circuitry.
(D) Current Research
Treatment-resistant depression; terminal and social anxiety.
Alohol, tobacco, substance use, and eating disorders.

IV. Ibogaine
(A) African shrub root used for stimulation.
(B) Mechanism(s) of Action: Interacts with opioid receptors, monoamine transporters, and inhibits serotonin.
(C) Early studies: Robust reduction (and extinction) of craving with one treatment, lasting up to one yr.

V. Future Directives
(A) Promise:
Strong potential impact for innovation in mental health care.
Address a specific need ("gap"): Global mental health crisis.
Robust improvements in mental health.
Rapid (immediate) onset.
Persistent (for 6 - 12 months after a single administration).
(B) Challenges:
Scheduel I regulatory status.
Resource intensive (psychedelic-assisted therapy).
Safety (with ibogaine, high cardiovascular risks).

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