“Never before in modern Western medicine have we ever induced a non-ordinary state of consciousness in another human being with the intention to invite healing to occur,” Dr. Michael Fratkin, Chair of the American Academy of Hospice and original member of the Board of Psychedelic Medicine and Therapies, said.
Psychedelics are a classification of mind-altering substances that often cause hallucinations, ego dissolution, and emotional shifts. These are commonly used recreationally, but they can be used in the context of therapy in certain settings.
In the Oval Office, joined by podcast host Joe Rogan and Secretary of Health RFK Jr., President Trump signed an executive order to expedite research, provide funding, and FDA approval of psychedelics like ibogaine, psilocybin, Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and MDMA, to treat conditions including PTSD, depression, and addiction.
Specifically, the order called for the Food and Drug Administration to accelerate consideration and increase clinical trials of certain psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. The FDA will also match any investment up to $50 million made by state governments in psychedelic research.
The White House posted a video of the signing of the executive order. “Can I have some [psychedelics] please? I’ll take some,” Trump said before signing, prompting laughter in the Oval Office.
This type of treatment was only recently put onto the president’s radar by Rogan. “Joe is an amazing guy, and he wrote me a little note about this, and I had it checked out,” Trump said.
Rogan had texted Trump about psychedelic research, specifically ibogaine. Trump swiftly replied, “Sounds great. Do you want FDA approval? Let’s do it.”
“It was literally that quick,” Rogan said.
This executive order comes out of left field. In February, the FDA proposed an effort to expedite the review of research on psilocybin. This proposal was quickly blocked by the Trump administration.
Psychedelic therapy has been legalized in Oregon and Colorado, where individuals pay around $3,000 to $10,000 to have psilocybin administered and be guided through a therapeutic session.
In a clinical trial in 2016, MD Stephen Ross, a psychiatrist from NYU Langone, administered one dose of psilocybin in 29 terminally ill cancer patients. Over the next six months, 80% of the patients had relief based on depression and anxiety scores.
While psilocybin is decriminalized in Arcata, we don’t currently have therapy clinics that utilize psychedelic compounds. We do have one local clinic, the Center for New Growth, which offers various therapeutic services, including ketamine therapy. This is where Dr. Fratkin works; he specializes in palliative care. Ketamine is classified as a dissociative anesthetic but induces psychedelic-like effects.
The Western medicinal world is just beginning to dip its toes into psychedelics for emotional healing. Many herbs and plants naturally contain psychoactive compounds, which have been used in ceremonial settings by Indigenous people of Africa as well as North and South America for centuries.
Our medicinal use of psychedelics focuses on healing of the individual, but the traditions of psychedelic healing use the plants and herbs to connect the individual to the earth and the spirit worlds.
“It’s going to take a lot of humility to keep us from hurting each other with these medicines [psychedelics],” Dr. Fratkin warned. “Through the beliefs of western medical science, modern technology, American know-how, and capitalism, we’re gonna see a lot of blowback.” With these new medicines in demand by medical research companies for profit, the traditions of these medicines are being disrespected.
“I’ve witnessed brilliance and mastery in indigenous ceremonial settings. And I have witnessed in the medical world a lot of bullsh*t and ego,” Fratkin continued, “I’ve seen a lot of, at best, ineffective work, and at worst, harmful work.” Psychedelics put the patient in an extremely vulnerable state of mind. Any misconduct by the therapist can leave lasting trauma on the individual. Unfortunately, there have been reports of sexual assault and other misconduct during psychedelic clinical trials.
Unethical behavior and abuse of these medicines shouldn’t undermine the potential for healing that these compounds have. The modern medical world is entering the beginning phases of psychedelic medicines. Even though there are many beneficial properties of psychedelics, we haven’t put the necessary protections in place. Before the medical world dives headfirst into these mysterious medicines, it’s crucial to implement protections to ensure the safety of participants.
