Do you think LSD and other hallucinogens should be allowed to treat people with mental illnesses?

There is a growing number of individuals, mainly researchers, aware that in certain instances LSD and other hallucinogens should be allowed as a treatment option. Although the average mental health clinician may not be aware of the therapeutic use of these psychedelic substances (perhaps because of the stigma associated with psychedelic drugs, or simply because much of the research has yet to be published? ) there has been a resurgence of research in the last decade showing benefits in the treatment of some conditions.

Currently there are several sanctioned IRB approved projects under progress in the USA as well as in Europe. (See the references and resources listed at the end of this answer). Although there has been enormous improvement in the treatment of certain mental conditions, chronic schizophrenia being one of then, in the last decades, certain conditions remain resistant to treatment, or have less than desired resolution.

Additionally certain conditions, not actually "mental illnesses" but conditions that can be labeled brain or nervous system disorders, have been found to respond positively to psychedelic agents. For example, the conditions of chronic pain and cluster headaches have responded favorably to controlled treatment with psychedelic substances. Ironically, drug dependence, typically known to require a life long treatment process and a personal commitment, responds favorably to certain psychedelic substances.

Especially, hard core addictions to heroin and alcohol have resolved after one or more controlled sessions using the psychedelic agent Ibogaine (along with careful monitoring and therapeutic processing of the experience). More than one study found that psilocybin (a hallucinogenic component of "magic mushrooms") alleviated cluster headaches, a debilitating type of chronic migraine headache. Use of psilocybin for treatment of obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) has also been found to hold promise and continues to be studied.

Most that have ever witnessed or lived with the suffering of unresolved or untreatable drug dependencies, pain, or obsessions, could only welcome any effective, safe treatments as soon as they are available. Lets hope that with education and an open mind, any successful treatments will be made available as soon as they are suitable for safe prescribing, and not held back for 4 more decades due to misunderstanding. References and Resources: http://www.maps.org/home.html http://www.heffter.org.

I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.