It’s Time to Start Studying the Downside of Psychedelics
Before psychedelic therapy and services becomes widely available, there needs to be a better understanding of all the ways these experiences can go wrong.
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When psychedelics begin to be taken more widely, there will be a variety of less-than-ideal outcomes, said psychedelic researchers and therapists that Motherboard (Vice News technology department) consulted.
There could be sexual abuse and boundary violations from therapists and facilitators, hallucinogen persisting perception disorder (HPPD), psychological or physical side effects, worsening mental health, or spiritual emergencies.
There will also likely be people who have disappointing experiences when the miraculous “cure” they were hoping for does not transpire. Nothing works 100% of the time for 100% of people, and infrastructure needs to be set up in advance to support these cases—ideally before psychedelics are made available to millions in legalized settings, like Oregon, or in the medical system through FDA approval.