Psychedelic drugs might help treat mental health disorders study says

LSD, magic mushrooms and ecstasy are well known street drugs not usually associated with medical treatment.

But that couldbe changing.

In a new article in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, researchers examine the therapeutic effects of these substances on people with mental disorders, ranging from addiction to depression, anxiety and PTSD.

Theresearch suggests someillegal drugs may have beneficial medical effects.

It was research that was pioneered in the1950sand conductedthroughto the 70s, buteventuallyfizzled due to the condemnation of illegal substancesand the subsequentwar on drugs.

"As decades have worn on and we face continued challenges with mental health and limitations of the existing paradigm and existing treatments, it is reemerging as an area of clinical interest," Dr. Evan Wood told CBCOn the Coast's Stephen Quinn.

Wood, a professor of medicine at UBC, is one ofthe study's authors.

Although they are quickto acknowledge the small scale of some of these clinical trials, the study's authorssay the research is a stepping-stone to the possibilities offered bythese substances in controlled settings.

The potential

Psilocybin, the main compound in magic mushrooms, is currently being studied for its effect on the reduction of end-of-lifeanxiety and the treatment of tobacco addiction.

A recent study on tobacco addiction treatment, showedan 80 per cent cure rate at sixmonths "which blows our existingtherapies out of the water," Wood said.

In Vancouver, the CMA journalsaysMDMA, the active molecule inecstasy, is being used to treatPTSDin former soldiers and first responders.

The paper also outlines the use of LSD (known as acid),Ayahuasca brew (a traditionalAmazonian shamanic practice)and mescaline (peyote) to aid with addictions and anxiety.

Risks?

The authors of the reportrecognize that there are some negative effects associated with these drugs, such as the possibility of triggering psychotic breaks in those who have a family history or who suffer themselves frompsychosis or bipolar disorder.

To mitigate potential risks, studyparticipants are pre-screened.Close monitoring of patients is also necessary to reduce the risksassociated with the actual administration of the drugs.

What does the future hold?

"There'shurdlesthat we face in terms of being able to do this type of research...it's trying to break the taboo and be able to talk about these molecules and the need for this researchand trying to encourage science funders to look at these dramatic signals that are coming out of the recently conducted research," said Wood.

Studies like this are possible because there are mechanisms within Health Canada that allow researchersto study drugs that are illegal.

The B.C.study onMDMA-assistedpsychotherapy managed to receive approvaleven under thetough-on-drugsConservativegovernment.

The CMAJ article says it's hoped thepaperwillprovide enough data to suggest to policy makers this area of research is valuable.

To hear the full interview, listen to the audio labelled: Psychedelics and mental health