The Iowa House recently approved a bill that would expand access to mind-altering drugs in the state, namely psilocybin — better known as magic mushrooms — under the guise of “medical access.” They shouldn’t buy the arguments of the Big Psychedelics industry.
My home state of Colorado recently became the second state to adopt similar legislation. We were promised it would only be for veterans and sick patients, and that these products would not be accessible for kids. We were also promised there would never be edibles or candies.
Today, the first state-approved psychedelic “healing center” has a chocolatier on staff, and psilocybin chocolates are sold.
Denver has also seen increased calls to poison control centers for psilocybin-related psychosis after decriminalizing the drug. To make matters worse, psychedelics advocates and the industry have been caught influencing state regulators managing the program.
Iowa shouldn’t make the same mistake. The state Senate should reject this legislation out of hand.
Psilocybin is classified at the federal level as a Schedule 1 substance, meaning it has a high potential for abuse and no medical benefit. Likewise, the FDA has not approved psilocybin for any disease or condition, meaning it is not a real “medicine.” Profit-driven industries are pushing the supposed benefits of psychedelics while downplaying potential harms.
It’s possible that psilocybin may help some patients with certain conditions in the future. However, the American Psychiatric Association states, “There is currently inadequate scientific evidence for endorsing the use of psychedelics to treat any psychiatric disorder.”
We should be skeptical when we hear “wonder drug” promises about psilocybin. Given its mind- and mood-altering effects, “magic mushrooms” have been associated with suicide as well as conditions like hallucinogen persisting perception disorder and persistent psychosis. These products are not safe, harmless, or risk-free.
A 2016 study found that 39% of those who used psilocybin rated the experience as one of “the top five most challenging experiences” of their lives. It also found that 11% of users noted that it put themselves “or others at risk of physical harm.” Many users with preexisting mental health issues will experience a “bad trip.”
The policy will have unintended consequences. Not surprisingly, the only two states that have legalized psychedelics——Colorado and Oregon——now have the two highest rates of hallucinogen use by youth in the nation. It also will lead to an expansion of the illicit market for psilocybin, as has been seen in Oregon, given that drug dealers can sell a supply that is cheaper and tax-free.
Industries like Big Pharma will invest millions in PR campaigns to make psychedelics appear risk-free and appealing. But do they know what we are getting into? When asked, “What do psychedelics do to the human mind,” Michael Pollan, a leading psychedelics advocate, responded, “The honest answer: nobody quite understands.”
Our veterans deserve better. Iowa should reject the legalization of psilocybin.