UK - 'Absurd' drug laws 'hinder research' - Prof David Nutt

E

edgarshade

Bluelighter
Joined
Aug 31, 2010
Messages
1,954
Location
UK
BBC News

By James Gallagher
7 April 2013 Last updated at 00:01
'Absurd' laws dealing with magic mushrooms, ecstasy and cannabis are hindering medical research, according to a former government drugs adviser. Professor David Nutt says his laboratory now has funding to research a chemical found in magic mushrooms, psilocybin, to treat depression. But he says "insane" regulations mean he cannot get hold of the drug. The Home Office said there was "no evidence" that regulations were a barrier to research. It is not the first time Prof Nutt has been at odds with government policy. He was sacked as an adviser over views that ecstasy and LSD were less harmful than alcohol.

Psilocybin is illegal in the UK and is a Class A drug. Earlier research at Imperial College London showed that injections of psilocybin could calm a region of the brain which is overactive in depression. The group is now trying to conduct a clinical trial to test psilocybin as a treatment.
Click to expand...

A Home Office spokesman said: "Our licensing regime enables legitimate research to take place while ensuring that harmful drugs don't get into the hands of criminals. "We have no evidence to suggest that the current listing of psilocybin as a schedule one substance is a barrier to attracting funding for legitimate research."
Click to expand...

More...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-22042994

Article also in Gaurdian (with reader comments)
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2013/apr/07/magic-mushrooms-treat-depression

Independent (with reader comments)
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/science/insane-rules-block-medical-trial-of-fungus-8563104.html

Daily Mail (with reader comments)
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/a...backed-aristocrat-dubbed-Lady-Mindbender.html
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top