Psychedelic drugs have been the subject of all sorts of myths and misconceptions. From being dismissed as solely recreational drugs to being categorized as dangerous, they’ve been stigmatized by health professionals, regulatory bodies, and consumers alike.
Here are a few common myths about psychedelics that you shouldn’t believe.
They’re Party Drugs
Let’s be honest; we’ve all heard of wild parties where psychedelics are used. This has led to the misconception that MDMA, LSD, psilocybin, and other psychedelics are recreational or “party drugs” and don’t have credible medicinal properties or health benefits.
In reality, psychedelics are used to alleviate several health symptoms. They’re especially useful for treating anxiety, depression, and other mental illnesses. Psychedelics are also given to cancer patients to induce positive feelings and alleviate the sense of panic they may have had.
They’re Addictive
For years, regulatory bodies have maintained that psychedelics are addictive. As a result, one of the most common misconceptions people have is that psychedelic medicine is harmful and would ultimately lead to drug addiction.
Contrary to these rumors, research has shown that psychedelics aren’t addictive. In fact, they’re often used to treat alcohol abuse and drug addiction. The U.S. military has also conducted studies on psychedelics and found that the effects of psychedelics aren’t long-lasting. The drugs don’t cause dependence or addiction.
They Cause Permanent Brain Alterations
Psychedelics have long been made out as dangerous drugs that can permanently damage the brain. In the 1980s, LSD was described as a substance that “fries” the brain and gets stuck inside it when it’s consumed. The government soon banned the drug because of the hysteria surrounding it rather than actual cases of any harm caused by it, categorizing psychedelics as unsafe. In the 1990s and 2000s, the anti-drug movement also claimed that MDMA creates holes in the brain, further stigmatizing psychedelics.
Neither of these claims holds any truth. Using psychedelics doesn’t fry your brain or cause holes in its structure. While excessive use of any drug may cause physical changes to the brain and affect its growth and shrinkage, this is a side effect of drug misuse or abuse. Using psychedelics in moderation doesn’t cause alterations to the brain.
Now that we’ve debunked these common myths about psychedelics, it’s time to strengthen your business plan and kick-start that psychedelic medicine venture you’ve been planning on launching. The Conscious Fund provides funding to early-stage psychedelic medicine startups.
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