Abstract
By the 1960’s, more than 1000 peer-reviewed research articles detailed the use of psychedelic compounds. Passage of the Controlled Substance Act of 1970 classified psychedelic substances such as LSD, MDMA, and Psilocybin as Schedule 1 drugs with no medical value, interrupting research into the application of psychedelic compounds for well-being. New studies from institutions such as New York University, Purdue University, Harvard University, and Johns Hopkins University are producing evidence that use of these drugs in combination with psychotherapy may have potential value for treating mental illnesses such as addiction, mood, affective, and psychotic disorders. This project is concerned with the effects of these drugs on well-being and the reasoning behind the scheduling of these drugs at the highest level. I conducted six open-ended interviews with a snowball sample of college students about their recreational experiences with LSD, MDMA, and Psilocybin. Preliminary findings suggest that college students use these drugs as a tool for spiritual and emotional development. They report positive transformative experiences and improved relationships with family and friends. These findings support the continued expansion of research on psychedelic assisted psychotherapy for treatment of mental illness.
Recommended Citation
Demosthenous, Andrew
(2012)
"Psychedelic Research Resurgence,"
Proceedings of GREAT Day: Vol. 2011, Article 25.
Available at:
https://knightscholar.geneseo.edu/proceedings-of-great-day/vol2011/iss1/25