Depression and Hallucinogen Drugs

Depression and Hallucinogen Drugs

Wyatt T. Benoit

Psychology 101

Abstract

        This essay will discuss the affects of depression and the way the medical field is trying new medicine to help cure it. a newer form of medication is being researched by medical professionals. They are known as hallucinogens, many may know some of these as street drugs to give partiers a high but resent medical research have shown that these can be used to help people with depression. This paper will discuss the mechanism of action, any potential for overdose, any potential for dependency, any other dangers.          

Word count 1049

Depression, a disease well-known by many, but experienced by few, is wrongly misused and inhabited in American society; it is nearly impossible to explain the everlasting effects of depression unless experienced personally. Unfortunately, for too many, depression casts an inescapable shadow so dark, that it captures and controls the emotions and feelings of those affected. Recently, suicide has become more and more common in today’s society with no definite answer why. Those who suffer from depression battle for their lives everyday, trying so desperately to find a cure for their intrusive thoughts. For too many, depression wins the battle of their lives, which is why a cure for depression is prevalent. John Tierney, author of editorial “Hallucinogens Have Doctors Tuning In Again” argues the beneficial effects of psychedelic drugs pertaining to curing mental illnesses, while Nora D. Volkow, M.D., author of web article, “Hallucinogens and Dissociative Drugs,” describes the harsh physical effects of hallucinogenic drugs over time, and Eugenia Bone, author of NY times editorial, “Can Mushrooms Treat Depression?” identifies the biological pros and cons of mushrooms, a hallucinogenic drug. Most depression patients have tried a plethora of cures: prescription antidepressants, counseling, exercise, ect; however, many have yet to cure their illnesses without the possibility of relapsing. Editorialist, John Tierney, writes the story of Clark Martin, a clinical psychologist who discusses hallucinogenic drugs in a respectable manner, describing it a last resort to depression. He glorifies his experience with mushrooms as a major step in “overcom[ing] his depression,” as well as “transforming his relationships with his daughter and friends.” For Martin, the hallucinogenic drug utterly transformed not only his outlook, but also the significant relationships in his life. The “trip,” or life changing endeavor, allows him to truly experience introspection in a helpful manner. Additionally, psilocybin, a psychedelic compound, “helps dying people overcome fear, panic and depression,” or aids terminally ill people in accepting their fate by diminishing the anxiety patients feel as their lives deplete. Dying patients are forced to accept death, which may trigger depression alone, but have no choice in denying the fate awaiting. Psilocybin has been proven to help mental illnesses of some patients. Ostensibly, Nora D. Volkow, M.D, author of “Hallucinogens and Dissociative drugs,” asserts the harmful effects of inducing psychosis. Seemingly, psilocybin alters “neural circuits in the brain that use the neurotransmitter serotonin.” Serotonin, a neurotransmitter closely linked to depression, should not be nudged. Since psilocybin raises serotonin levels, the neurotransmitter will not fire as often, or produce as much serotonin when off the drug, which causes addiction. After the body builds a tolerance to the drug, it stops producing suitable amounts of serotonin, meaning the user will not receive the needed neurotransmitter unless on a hallucinogenic drug. Though some believe hallucinogens offer “feelings of relaxation,” Volkow describes the drug to provoke feelings of “nervousness, paranoia, and panic reactions.” Hallucinogenic drugs are hit or miss; those who experience “good” trips are left with feelings of calming nostalgia, while others are permanently terrified and paranoid. Those who ingest hallucinogens report frequent flashbacks, even long after the trip. Imagine the horrible flashbacks for those who experience bad trips? Eugenia Bone, author of “Can Mushrooms Treat Depression,” neutrally describes both harmful and innovative discoveries of mushrooms, a hallucinogen. Mushrooms display “radically different connectivity patterns between cortical regions,” or allow unrelated brain regions to interact with each other, which is why some users claim to “see sounds” or “hear colors.” Embracing interaction between such brain functions allows the mind to interpret everyday thinking patterns differently, which may save the life of a suicidal patient. Those who suffer from depression are stuck in a thinking pattern which is nearly impossible to describe or escape, much like a prison. Bone compares the effects of psilocybin to “rebooting your computer,” or restarting the chemical and genealogical functions of the brain. For those with depression, OCD, or anxiety, resetting neurotransmitter levels may ultimately fix problems patients have faced their whole lives. Transversely, since psilocybin is a “Schedule 1” drug, meaning it has a high rate of addiction and no obvious use in a medical office, experimenting is extremely limited. In fact, psilocybin recently became legal to test on again, but only through strict DEA restrictions and regulations. However, as hallucinogenic drugs are allowed in medical testing again(since banned in the 1960’s), it predicts miniscule hope for further advancement scientifically and medically. Psilocybin is a scientific breakthrough that can help cure patients who suffer from mental illnesses when all else fails. Ever since the outlaw of hallucinogenic drugs in the 1960’s, psilocybin has developed a stigma; the stigma is so overbearing that future scientific breakthroughs seem nearly impossible. Understandably, people are skeptic about change, and especially skeptic about drugs. However, with more experimenting and time, hopefully hallucinogenic drugs can serve some use in the medical field, even if it only helps one patient! Depression, a horrible, misunderstood disease is not only responsible for suicide, but is a catalyst for addiction, self-harm, and other mental illnesses to the living who experience “second-hand” suicide, or those who are exposed to suicide personally. The living is forced to accept a permanent decision of suicide, which is why a cure is essential to depression in order for the world to advance. Accordingly, since available medications and counseling are not suiting every patient, hopefully a new practice or drug will arise to solve a majority of the problem overall. Since most testing with psilocybin has remained stagnant since the 1960’s, a tremendous amount of information pertaining hallucinogens is still uncovered. Recently, the DEA authorized testing of psilocybin again in hopes of curing any nasty disease, whether cancer, depression, or any other illnesses.