The Difficulty of Researching Psychedelics and Plant-Based Medicine: A Deep Dive
Psychedelics and plant-based medicine have been used by various cultures throughout history for their healing and transformative properties. One of the plants which has received increased interest in the west is Ayahuasca, a brew made from the Amazon rainforest’s most potent plants. It has been used for centuries by indigenous peoples to heal a variety of physical, emotional, and spiritual ailments, and is said to help you connect with the divine and find inner peace. Psychedelic Spotlight reports that Canadian company Filament Health was the first to create an Ayahuasca pill. Pending FDA approval, they are hoping to start the first phase of clinical trials early this year.
In this post, we will explore the challenges these researchers likely faced while studying psychedelics and plant-based medicine and why it’s crucial to overcome these obstacles to advance our understanding of these substances.
Challenges Researchers Face:
Legal Restrictions:
One of the biggest challenges researchers face is legal restrictions. Most psychedelics, including LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA, are classified as Schedule I drugs in the United States, or similar classifications in other countries, which means they are considered to have no medical use and a high potential for abuse. This classification makes it difficult for researchers to obtain the necessary approvals to conduct studies on these substances. In addition, even in countries where these substances are legal for research purposes, there are often bureaucratic hurdles that slow down the process of obtaining necessary licenses.
Stigma and Misconceptions:
Psychedelics have been stigmatized in popular culture as dangerous and mind-altering drugs, and there are many misconceptions about their effects on the brain and mental health. This stigma can make it difficult for researchers to recruit study participants, as some individuals may be hesitant to participate in studies involving these substances due to fear of negative consequences.
Lack of Funding:
Researching psychedelics and plant-based medicine requires significant funding, and many funding agencies may be hesitant to support studies involving these substances due to their controversial nature. This lack of funding can slow down the pace of research and limit the number of studies that can be conducted.
Difficulty of Controlling Variables:
Psychedelics and plant-based medicine are highly variable substances, and their effects can be influenced by a wide range of factors, such as dosage, set and setting, and the individual’s mindset and expectations. Controlling for these variables in a research study can be challenging.
5. Respecting the sacred and ritualistic origins of the plants:
Substances like Ayahuasca have a long history of cultural and spiritual use that is difficult to quantify in scientific terms. The Western biomedical paradigm does not recognize the ritualistic component, so researchers do not only face practical questions about the importance of the surrounding rituals to receive the healing benefits, but also ethical questions about whether these sacred plants should be taken out of their spiritual context.
With more research, we can begin to unlock the full potential of psychedelics and plant-based medicine as tools for healing and transformation. Filament Health’s successful development of an Ayahuasca pill is a step in the right direction for people in need of new tools to tackle their health issues. If you expect the Ayahuasca pill to become available on the market soon, you are out of luck: according to Daily Hive, the CEO of Filament suspects it will take at least five years, so don’t cancel those plane tickets to the Amazon just yet.