Psychedelic hype can lead to harm without balanced education and awareness

  • SOURCE ▸
    PUBLISHED
  • November 28, 2023
  • AUTHORS
  • David Yaden, Roland Griffiths, and James Potash.
  • PUBLICATION
  • Obsessed
  • TITLE
  • Psychedelic Hype Is Hurting More People Than We Realize
  • KEY TAKEAWAY
  • The dangers of overhyping psychedelics for mental health treatment can lead to harmful consequences and risks, highlighting the importance of balanced education and awareness for safe psychedelic use.

The abstract discusses the dangers of overhyping the potential benefits of psychedelics, highlighting the case of an off-duty pilot who attempted to crash a plane after consuming magic mushrooms. The incident underscores the importance of public awareness of the risks and harms associated with psychedelic use, especially for vulnerable individuals seeking treatment. The abstract also mentions the lack of safety education and the potential for prolonged derealization as common difficulties after challenging psychedelic experiences. It emphasizes the need for better research, public communication on risks, and informed consent processes to protect individuals from potential dangers, including sexual abuse. Additionally, the abstract raises concerns about the validity of clinical psychedelic studies, pointing out issues such as lack of transparency in reporting adverse outcomes and challenges with double-blinding. Experts interviewed for the abstract stress the importance of caution, further research, and realistic analysis of existing research findings, urging against overhyping psychedelics as a solution to all mental health issues. Overall, the abstract calls for a balanced approach to psychedelic use, emphasizing the need for responsible harm reduction practices and increased public understanding of risks to ensure safety and well-being.

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