LSD.

MDMA.

Psilocybin.

These three compounds undoubtedly evoke some kind of emotion when read. More often than not, that response is negative and subjective. Perhaps this is in response to the deliberate and widespread case of classical conditioning that started in the late 1980’s and endowed to the American youth by our government. Or, maybe the Urban Legends that surround these substances had a lasting impact. Regardless of why you think the way you do, we shouldn't continue to gobble up the anti-drug rhetoric and accept the “just say no” model so blindly. Instead, compounds such as LSD, MDMA, and Psilocybin should be given an objective and academic opportunity to pursue medicinal legitimacy. Fear of the unknown can no longer be an accepted response. Instead, acceptance of the exploratory nature of these compounds can allow for open and honest psychotherapy sessions. As well, they hold a vast potentiality to garnish tangible responses for those afflicted by PTSD, end of life sufferers, the socially anxious, addicts of all kinds, and even in couples therapy. Also, if accepted by society (as well as legislatures), will the Veteran’s Administration (they treat the lion's share of PTSD patients in America) adopt this therapeutic model?

WHY?

The reasons why we think the way we do about LSD, MDMA, and Psilocybin are to be questioned in the essay as well. Whether it was War on Drugs legislature, confusing commercials with broken eggs,or even just second or third hand anecdotes. The reason why is because the American society was force fed an anti-drug perception. These compounds are now proven to be potentially very useful both medically and therapeutically.

WHY NOT?

This is a topic that should live in the grey area, not camp on the black side with the “drop outs”, or sitting on the white side throwing judgments at anyone in opposition. With institutions such as the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies leading the way, or even work done by outlying Ethnobotanists such as the McKenna brothers, these compounds should not always carry an obligatory “illicit” connotation. Long term placebo controlled double blind studies have been conducted, and have concluded that these compounds can indeed alleviate suffering for PTSD patients, those struggling with the end of life process, anxiety sufferers, and couples going through some sort of rough patch.

Psychopharmacology.

Ethnopharmacology.

Psychotherapy.

These are the vehicles the 3 substances can be utilized through to lead them down the path to societal acceptance and medical legitimacy. Like succeeding in any ambitious endeavor, the devil is in the details. That being said, the biggest hurdle will be the restructuring of how everyday Americans view LSD, MDMA, and Psilocybin.

-DL Bell