“I’m healed.”
That’s what Mike Tyson, the former world heavyweight champion, told about his experiences with psychedelics, who touts psilocybin (the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms) as a cure for his depression and suicidal thoughts. He explained that such psychedelics should be available to the whole world.
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Most recently Prince Harry came out about his experience with magic mushroomswho credit their powerful healing potential for helping him overcome trauma and grief. A long list of athletes and celebrities—from Aaron Rodgers and Seth Rogan to Miley Cyrus and Kristin Bell—turn to psychedelics like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and ketamine for healing, spiritual growth, and personal well-being.
But what about the rest of us?
While recreational use of psychedelics has certainly been similarly praised by many of the average person, there have also been instances where it has resulted in negative experiences such as increased anxiety, disturbing hallucinations, and deteriorating mental health. Aside from the obvious barrier of legality, there are major risks associated with drugs that can alter your brain chemistry, especially for those already coping with mental health complications.
While psilocybin is nearing legality in the United States (after achieving it in Colorado), there is still a strict warning label on these substances: Don’t try this at home. Licensed medical professionals advise that experiencing psychedelics in a controlled therapeutic environment is the safest way to reap the benefits of psychedelics without harm.
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But what about those who can’t afford to fly to South America to meet “Mama Ayahuasca” or spend $15,000 (USD) on an MDMA treatment? Ketamine can net you hundreds of dollars in private hospital fees. Existing European access to psilocybin (excluding airfare) can cost €1200-1700 and even €15500 for an individual consultation. In the United States, the availability of psilocybin treatments is pending FDA approval.
If the therapeutic power of psychedelics is restricted to the wealthy and privileged, millions of people worldwide suffering from unresolved mental health issues, addictions, and health crises will remain in the dark – instead of repeating the words of these celebrities: “I’m healed.”
As a research leader and CEO who has built a career studying and developing therapeutic compounds from cannabis to psychedelics over the past twenty years, I am pleased to hear prominent figures speak about the potential of psychedelics. After long years of stigmatization, their voices will help to further change public perception and therefore the demand for these substances. Eventually, personal stories coupled with research and changing attitudes led to cannabis being legalized in many parts of the United States. Many say psychedelics will be next, but that cannot happen without addressing the issue of access.
I want to paint a picture of what an affordable approach to psychedelics might look like, based on some anecdotal evidence our company has uncovered regarding a lesser-known psychoactive molecule called MEAI (novel compound 5-methoxy-2-aminoindane). Before our company acquired the patents for this novel psychedelic, there were hundreds of instances of recreational (albeit irresponsible) use.
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In one such case, a woman named Terri decided to give MEAI to her father, whose severe alcohol addiction was ruining almost every relationship in his life, including his daughter. He couldn’t even get sober enough to go to an AA meeting or therapist, and he couldn’t afford rehab. FDA-approved drugs for alcohol use disorders, like naltrexone, had extremely nasty side effects, so he didn’t touch them. Like many alcoholics, he was left alone with the burden. Until Terri started giving him MEAI.
Terri says what happened next was a miracle: she got her father back. He no longer felt a desperate urge to drink – a glass of wine with dinner was enough now. They were spending time together again. And he was able to attend social events where alcohol was present, free from the crippling fear of losing all control.
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Access to psychedelics can change lives, and public opinion and politics are changing. That means we must continue to share these stories – from celebrities to those fighting in the shadows. We need more research calculations such as those recently advanced in Arizona; We need bipartisan support and more education about the role psychedelics can play in innovation in mental health and healthcare. We need more states and countries to take steps to legalize and decriminalize these substances, with regulations to protect them from abuse.
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Healing should not be the preserve of the few: psychedelics can and should play a pivotal role in improving the mental health of humanity.
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