Video
What’s The Science On Psychedelics For Mental Health Treatment?
GBH News
Summary:
Psychedelics are rapidly gaining acceptance as a viable form of treatment for various mental health conditions, with cities like Cambridge and Somerville leading the way toward decriminalization. Medical experts, such as Dr. Jerry Rosenbaum of the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital, champion the therapeutic potential of these substances when used under medical supervision. Similarly, Bertha Madras, a Harvard University professor and the director of McLean Hospital’s Laboratory of Addiction Neurobiology, agrees that the neuroscience of psychedelics holds promising avenues for advancing mental health treatment. However, it's key to note that while the field is promising, ongoing research is vital to fully understand the implications and potential effects of these substances in clinical settings. Organizations like the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) and the Usona Institute are leading the charge in funding and conducting studies on the therapeutic use of psychedelics.
In addition to medical professionals, advocacy groups such as Decriminalize Nature and Students for Sensible Drug Policy are pushing for policy changes that would allow for more research and implementation
Excerpt
"The cities of Cambridge and Somerville have taken steps this year toward decriminalizing psychedelics, as some medical experts point to evidence that such substances may provide relief from certain mental health conditions when used under medical direction. Where does the science stand on this? In for Jim Braude, Adam Reilly was joined by Dr. Jerry Rosenbaum, the director of both the Center for Anxiety and Traumatic Stress Disorders at Massachusetts General Hospital and the hospital’s new Center for the Neuroscience of Psychedelics; and Bertha Madras, professor of psychobiology at Harvard University, director of McLean Hospital’s Laboratory of Addiction Neurobiology, and a former deputy drug czar in the White House’s Office of National Drug Control Policy."
