Hallucinogenic substances could (soon) cure some mental illnesses

In the United Kingdom, a group of researchers at the Imperial College of London is preparing to launch research to determine whether hallucinogenic substances can help treat depression and anxiety.

When medicine is interested in the curative effects of hallucinogenic mushrooms

More generally badociated with rave parties than medical care, some 'drugs' could, however, show some effectiveness in treating patients with psychological disorders. Already in 2017, a study was able to prove that psilocybin – an active ingredient found in hallucinogenic mushrooms – could play a positive role in the treatment of patients with chronic depression.

The researchers had found that this substance acted on the brain, specifically in the region of the peritonsillar cortex in charge of controlling our emotions, and could 'reset' it by preventing it from " remain frozen in a state of rigidity "conducive to negative thoughts.

As part of this new research, this molecule should replace the current inhibitors of the 'reuptake of serotonin (SSRI) to treat certain psychic diseases. "We know that some psychotropic drugs have a revolutionary potential, and we do not exaggerate" welcomed Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris, in charge of future trials, at the BBC.

A potential Counter-cultured drug

These hallucinogens should nevertheless be used with caution because, as Dr. Robin Carhart-Harris recalls, they can awaken other mental illnesses in people predisposed to this kind of diseases. However, this is not the first time that science has taken a close interest in psychedelic drugs to treat. In the 1950s and 1960s, these had already been the subject of studies in the potential treatment of certain mental illnesses.

Diversionally diverted for recreation by the hippie wave and the counterculture, psychotropic drugs have quickly got bad press because of the bad trips they could cause. But soon, they could be rehabilitated by medicine.