We have ketamine infusion clinics because ketamine doesn’t work and ppl keep desperately coming back hoping it will. If ketamine cured patients they would never come back (ppl would probably cure themselves by self medicating at home) and the clinics would go out of business. It’s simply preying on the desperate that can’t be cured.
Ketamine has the benefits of longstanding use and acceptance in medicine and these psychedelics do not.
I partially agree with this sentiment which is why I advocate for those seeking ketamine treatment as I understand WHY they seek it, but I also highlight the pitfalls which IRONICALLY include it having addictive potential and notoriety for being used recreationally. As a matter of fact, the night life in the UK sees plenty of ketamine use and the youth in the USA seems to have quite the fondness as well. Its a socially acceptable alternative to alcohol among users of club drugs as well as the hippy type as well.
Its interesting how you both made your point and also promptly destroyed it in only three short paragraphs. I actually just spoke with a woman who got addicted to ketamine through a doctor and nearly died of the addiction and is currently in a mental institution for example. The off-label use of ketamine is FAR riskier than psychedelics, and if you think otherwise I suggest looking into the work Professor David Nutt did in his ranking the various drugs of abuse in terms of harm to user and society. Ketamine ranks alongside benzodiazepines whereas the classic hallucinogens rank among top three safest with MDMA a close fourth. So, I think your views have been skewed in a somewhat similar manner to those of
@Jnowhere without acknowledging the progress being made in the right direction due to cognitive baises.
All psychotherapeutic work would be done in a controlled fashion. No one is just going to be handing these things out like we saw with adderall or oxycontin in the US. This is definitely a much much different situation, and the legal implications will certainly be limited by consent to treat forms being signed as is the case any time someone receives treatment in a medical setting in the USA.
To repeat: ketamine therapy is far more risky than using tryptamines in therapy and this is a well established fact. You literally countered your own point here, but the point is somewhat valid in the tryptamines are more effective in terms of therapeutic potential for mental conditions meaning they don't result in long term profits. However, it would be profitable for those psychotherapists working with patients as these are NOT cures. Patients WILL need long term treatment none the less, but by using psychedelics it facilitates such and reduces the negative impacts mental illness has on the economy. Maybe not as beneficial as it would be in places like here in Europe where healthcare is socialized, but still it is beneficial to the bottom lines of ALL corporations in USA which should obviously drive HUGE investments to such treatments once available and well established of course. Its a work in progress, and I think it would be funny if I present this question here in about two more decades so we can look back and see the exact progress I was refering to in the above here in this thread while people still deny any progress being made.
there is no progressive nature too the FDA. And Congress nope.
The following facts can't really be argued against. I still think you're just focusing your energy on the negative aspects of the fight which is very counter-productive if you actually want these medicines to become legal. If you did you would focus on how you can help further these initiatives, especially considering the government is funding them... Which you say they aren't... or whatever.... lol
### 1. **Natural Medicine Health Act of 2021**
- **Overview:** Introduced in the House of Representatives, this bill aims to reclassify certain natural psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin (found in "magic mushrooms") and MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), from Schedule I to Schedule II under the Controlled Substances Act.
- **Purpose:** Reclassification would facilitate scientific research and pave the way for the therapeutic use of these substances in medical settings.
- **Status:** While the bill garnered support from several lawmakers, it faced challenges in the Senate and had not been passed into law by October 2023.
### 2. **Advancing Research on Psychedelic Therapies Act**
- **Overview:** Various iterations of this act have been introduced to increase federal funding and support for research into the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
- **Purpose:** The act seeks to allocate resources to institutions like the National Institute on Drug Abuse (NIDA) and the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) to conduct clinical trials and studies on substances such as psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA.
- **Status:** These proposals have been introduced in both the House and Senate but are pending further review and debate.
### 3. **Funding Allocations in the Consolidated Appropriations Acts**
- **Overview:** Subsequent Consolidated Appropriations Acts have included specific provisions allocating funds for psychedelic research.
- **Purpose:** By directing financial resources toward institutions like NIDA and MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), Congress has supported ongoing and future studies into the medical applications of psychedelics.
- **Examples:**
- **2022 Consolidated Appropriations Act:** Allocated funds to support MAPS’ Phase 3 clinical trials of MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD.
- **2023 Appropriations Measures:** Continued funding for psychedelic research initiatives, emphasizing the potential mental health benefits of these substances.
### 4. **Psychedelic Science Caucus Initiatives**
- **Overview:** While not an official caucus, a group of bipartisan lawmakers has shown interest in forming a caucus dedicated to psychedelic science and policy reform.
- **Purpose:** To promote legislative efforts that support psychedelic research, address regulatory barriers, and explore the therapeutic potential of these substances.
- **Activities:** Hosting hearings, sponsoring bills, and facilitating discussions between scientists, policymakers, and stakeholders in the psychedelic community.
### 5. **MAPS Rescheduling Act**
- **Overview:** Proposed legislation aimed at rescheduling MDMA and other psychedelics to facilitate their medical use.
- **Purpose:** By lowering the scheduling classification, the act would make it easier for researchers to study these substances and for medical professionals to prescribe them as part of therapy.
- **Status:** Introduced in Congress but awaiting further legislative action and debate.
### 6. **Decriminalization and Local Legislative Support**
- **Overview:** While not directly federal legislation, several state-level actions supported by progressive members of Congress have influenced national perspectives on psychedelics.
- **Examples:**
- **Oregon’s Psilocybin Services Act (2020):** Legalized the supervised use of psilocybin for therapeutic purposes, serving as a model for potential federal reforms.
- **Denver and Washington D.C. Decriminalization Measures:** Local decriminalization efforts have received backing from some Congressional members, encouraging broader acceptance and legislative interest.
### 7. **H.R. 1317 – Medical Psychedelics Research Act**
- **Overview:** Introduced to remove regulatory barriers that hinder psychedelic research and to support the development of psychedelic-based treatments.
- **Purpose:** Streamline the approval process for clinical trials, increase funding for research, and establish guidelines for the safe use of psychedelics in medical settings.
- **Status:** Awaiting committee review and further legislative processing.
### 8. **Bipartisan Support and Advocacy**
- **Overview:** Growing bipartisan support in Congress for the exploration and legitimization of psychedelic medicine.
- **Examples:**
- **Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)** and **Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ)** have both expressed support for increased research and the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics.
- **Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR)** has been a vocal advocate for psychedelic research funding and policy reform.
### **Conclusion**
While significant strides have been made, much of the legislative progress toward legitimizing psychedelic medicine remains in the proposal and advocacy stages. Key actions include introducing bills like the Natural Medicine Health Act and the Advancing Research on Psychedelic Therapies Act, allocating federal funding for research through appropriations acts, and fostering bipartisan support for policy reforms. Continued advocacy and legislative efforts are essential to translate these progressive actions into concrete legal frameworks that fully legitimize and integrate psychedelic medicine into mainstream healthcare.
