INTRODUCTION
Psychedelic therapy involves the use of psychedelic drugs, such as magic mushrooms and LSD, under professional supervision to treat mental and psychological disorders[1]. Psychedelic therapy holds great potential in treating mental health conditions like addiction, depression, PTSD, anxiety, and anxiety, frequently in cases where traditional treatments have failed. By changing perception, heightening emotional senses and erasing ego boundaries, these drugs are believed to enable significant psychological and emotional breakthroughs that allow patients to face and process traumatic experiences in a safe and encouraging setting. However, due to the possibility of its misuse, the majority of these drugs are banned across countries in the world. While some patients report improvement after undergoing psychedelic therapy, it is essential to address ethical concerns, enforce strict clinical regulations, and ensure that professionals are properly trained to ensure safe and effective treatment.
STATUS OF PSYCHEDELICS IN INDIA & ITS BENEFITS
Psychedelic drugs are illegal in India under the NDPS Act of 1985. It is considered unlawful to possess, purchase, or sell such drugs. The main aim of the NDPS Act is to reduce drug abuse and control its availability in society[2]. Unfortunately, not much importance has been given to the fact that such substances are helpful in the medical field. In India, there has been limited interest in using psychedelic drugs, resulting in little research on the subject. Even if these drugs were used, they were primarily utilised for spiritual or personal development purposes. However, this practice was largely discontinued with the introduction of the NDPS Act. The NDPS Act classifies psychedelic drugs as psychotropic substances and imposes penalties or imprisonment on those found to be in possession of, buying, or selling them[3]. However, recent studies, especially in Western countries, have shown the potential of using psychedelic drugs in treating various medical conditions such as depression and anxiety. For instance, the New England Journal of Medicine released phase II psilocybin study data in November 2022, which found that a single 25 mg dosage of psilocybin decreased depression ratings over three weeks in patients with treatment-resistant depression[4]. According to 2021 research published in JAMA Psychiatry, patients with major depressive illness responded well to psilocybin-assisted therapy, which produced significant, quick, and long-lasting antidepressant benefits[5]. It is hoped that India will also recognize the potential of psychedelic drugs and lift the ban under strict medical supervision.
REGULATORY CHALLENGES
Numerous challenges could occur while regulating these psychedelic drugs. Firstly, to regulate psychedelic drugs, their status needs to be changed from illegal to legal substance. A new category would have to be created to include these drugs under the NDPS Act. But this would only be possible if it is backed by scientific research about its potential and for which India could consider the research progress and studies from other countries that have proven its potential. It could also set up its research centre to figure out the same but that would take up a lot of time, labour and costs and only delay its implementation. Once these are classified as legal drugs, the next challenge could be implementing a licensing system for its use. Strict and detailed frameworks must be established to determine who can obtain such a license. Professionals would also need to be trained to conduct clinical trials. They must adopt a non-judgmental perspective, be observant, and conduct trials carefully. Acquiring or developing such drugs would also pose a problem. India would need to provide incentives to individuals to produce such drugs since they have been discontinued for a long time.
ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS
Several ethical considerations must be taken into account if psychedelic drugs are to be used in the treatment of mental health conditions. Proper protocols would need to be developed to inform patients about the possible risks and benefits of using such drugs in their treatment before their consent for the same is taken. For ethical reasons, it’s important to make sure that patients are fully informed about the potential risks associated with these drugs. These risks can include changes in personality, emotional distress, and cardiovascular effects[6]. It is also not necessary that using such drugs would improve their condition, and as such patients need to be prepared to face disappointment. In case patients give their consent for the same, another consideration that needs to be taken into account is the fact that all individuals have different and personal experiences, and it could easily be affected by their culture[7]. Professional therapists would need to be sensitive about the same and be trained to handle such situations accordingly and not act in a personal capacity. Utmost caution would have to be exercised by professional therapists to minimise misuse of such drugs for personal or recreational purposes by the patients.
LESSONS FROM OTHER COUNTRIES
India could learn from other countries that have started to use psychedelic drugs for treating mental health conditions. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) in the United States has been instrumental in promoting psychedelic therapies both domestically and globally. MAPS, a non-profit research organization that was founded in 1986, supports psychedelic research and education by providing direct funding as well as help with the design of clinical trials and regulatory approval procedures[8]. In 2023, Australia became the first country to change the status of psychedelics to medicines at a national level resulting in Psilocybin, which is present in magic mushrooms to be used to treat treatment-resistant depression and MDMA for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), also known as ecstasy in tablet form[9]. While some countries have recognised the potential of psychedelic drugs and have legalised the same, other countries that are still hesitant to do the same have started investing in the research. The Canadian Institutes of Health Research had announced a nearly $3 million research investment to support three clinical trials to look at psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy as a potential treatment option for alcohol use disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and end-of-life psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer[10].
THE PATH AHEAD FOR INDIA
It is time for India to reevaluate its position on psychedelic drugs given the mounting evidence that these substances have therapeutic potential. The positive outcomes of worldwide research, such as the phase II psilocybin study that was published in The New England Journal of Medicine, demonstrate the important advantages that these drugs can provide, particularly for mental health issues that are resistant to therapy. India, with its long history of employing traditional medicine, can lead the way in developing a comprehensive strategy by introducing psychedelic therapy under strict ethical guidelines and medical supervision. India can give patients with severe mental illnesses new hope by eliminating the prohibition on psychedelic drugs and establishing clear regulations for their usage. This progress would not only bring India up to speed with the developments in nations like Australia and the United States but also would open the door for creative research and development in the field of mental health. Accepting psychedelic therapy could be a game-changer for the way depression, PTSD, and other mental health issues are treated in India and will only result in its growth.
Author(s) Name: Rusham Jain (OP Jindal Global University, Sonipat)
References-
[1] Drishti IAS, ‘Psychedelic Substances’ (Drishti IAS, 3 May 2023) <https://www.drishtiias.com/daily-updates/daily-news-analysis/psychedelic-substances accessed 22 July 2024.>
[2] Narala K, ‘Cannabis, Psychedelics, and India’s Cultural Heritage: A Call for Progressive Drug Policy’ (LinkedIn, 14 March 2023) <https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/cannabis-psychedelics-indias-cultural-heritage-call-drug-narala> accessed 22 July 2024.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Goodwin GM and others, ‘Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression’ (The New England Journal of Medicine, 2 November 2022) <https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2206443#:~:text=Conclusions,was%20associated%20with%20adverse%20effects.> accessed 23 July 2023.
[5] Grinspoon P, ‘Back to the Future: Psychedelic Drugs in Psychiatry’ (Harvard Health, 22 June 2021) <https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/back-to-the-future-psychedelic-drugs-in-psychiatry-202106222508> accessed 23 July 2024.
[6] Amy L. McGuire J, ‘Developing an Ethics and Policy Framework for Psychedelic Clinical Care’ (JAMA Network Open, 4 June 2024) <https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2819456 >accessed 23 July 2024.
[7] Amy L. McGuire J, ‘Developing an Ethics and Policy Framework for Psychedelic Clinical Care’ (JAMA Network Open, 4 June 2024) <https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2819456 >accessed 24 July 2024.
[8] Andrews T and Wright K, ‘The Frontiers of New Psychedelic Therapies: A Survey of Sociological Themes and Issues – Andrews – 2022 – Sociology Compass – Wiley Online Library’ (Sociology Compass , 3 February 2022) <https://compass.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/soc4.12959> accessed 24 July 2024.
[9] Nunn G, ‘MDMA: Australia Begins World-First Psychedelic Therapy’ (BBC News, 1 July 2023) <https://www.bbc.com/news/world-australia-66049989 > accessed 24 July 2024.
[10] ‘Government of Canada Invests Nearly $3 Million to Study the Potential Benefits of Psilocybin-Assisted Psych…’ (Canada.ca) <https://www.canada.ca/en/institutes-health-research/news/2023/06/government-of-canada-invests-nearly-3-million-to-study-the-potential-benefits-of-psilocybin-assisted-psychotherapy.html > accessed 24 July 2024.
