Psychedelic drugs have an interesting history. They have been around since man could grow plants and harvest them for substances. Indigenous cultures first used them as part of spiritual and healing rituals. Still, in the early 20th century, they were largely banned in the United States because they were found to be hallucinogenic (and thus were often used recreationally). However, they’ve also been a popular choice among recreational users, particularly in the 1960s during the hippie counterculture movement in North America and Europe.

However, in recent years, they’ve undergone something of a renaissance, with research being done to see how effective they can be in alleviating depression, anxiety, and PTSD. Here’s everything you need to know about this fascinating and controversial class of drugs.

Here’s Everything You Need To Know About This Fascinating And Controversial Class Of Drugs.

What Are Psychedelics?

Before we get into a more detailed history of psychedelic drugs, let’s clarify what we mean by psychedelic. The term is commonly used to refer to any drugs that have a hallucinogenic effect. However, strictly speaking, it refers only to drugs that contain lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD). In practice, however, both terms are often used interchangeably, and there is some overlap between them. For example, all psychedelics are hallucinogens; but not all hallucinogens are psychedelics.

Where Did They Come From?

Many people believe that these drugs came from laboratories, but in reality, almost all psychedelic drugs are found in nature. Even though they occur naturally in plants and fungi, humans discovered how to synthesize them only recently. For example, LSD was first manufactured in 1938 from a fungus called ergot. Psilocybin comes from a mushroom called Psilocybe Cubensis, and mescaline comes from peyote or San Pedro cactus. DMT is made from plants like Mimosa hostilis or Psychotriaviridis.

How Do Psychedelics Work?

What sets psychedelic drugs apart from other drugs is their ability to alter a person’s perception. It’s almost like LSD allows us to tune into different parts of our psyche, Dr. Pollan says in his book How to Change Your Mind. For example, suppose you normally don’t experience hallucinations with psychedelics. In that case, you might hear colors or see sounds—and that may be just fine for some people who are looking for a short-term boost in happiness or productivity. However, if you already have hallucinations or are predisposed to developing them, taking these types of drugs could bring up mental health issues that last long after your trip ends.

Are Psychedelics Dangerous?

In short, psychedelic drugs are safe to use when used responsibly. They’re non-addictive, do not cause physical harm if taken responsibly, and are a safe way to explore your internal psyche. However, people can misuse psychedelics and end up in dangerous situations like spending too much money or falling victim to a crime. These risks can be largely avoided by being aware and ensuring you are always in an environment where you feel comfortable.

Bright Minds Bio’s Initiative

Bright Minds Bio is a Canadian pharma company dedicating to develop safe and useful psychedelic drugs for people with mental health issues. There medicines are safe to use and helps in treating various mental health ailments.