Explained: What Are Psychedelics?

There is growing interest in using psychedelics in psychiatry for clinical and research purposes. However, the use of psychedelic substances is prohibited in India under the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act of 1985.

In November 2022, the results of a phase II clinical trial on the effects of psilocybin were published in the New England Journal of Medicine. The study revealed that a single 25-mg dose of psilocybin was effective in reducing depression scores over a period of three weeks in individuals suffering from treatment-resistant depression, according to The Hindu report.

Subsequently, a phase IIB trial replicated these findings, showing that a single dose of 25 mg psilocybin not only improved depression severity but also reduced anxiety levels and improved overall functioning.

What are Psychedelics?

Psychedelics are a group of drugs that alter perception, mood, and thought processing without impairing insight. They are non-addictive, non-toxic, and cause much less harm to the user compared to illicit drugs.

The two most commonly used psychedelics are LSD and psilocybin, while less common ones include mescaline found in the North American peyote cactus and N, N-dimethyltryptamine found in ayahuasca.

Farmer Dodds /Shutterstock

What are its effects?

Consumption of psychedelic substances can change users' perception, somatic experience, mood, thought processing, and entheogenic experiences. These changes can include perceptual distortions, particularly in the visual domain, and synaesthesia, where the user may experience sensory modalities crossing, such as "hearing colour" or "seeing sounds."

Somatic experiences involve the body's internal state and may include visceral, tactile, and interoceptive domains. Mood changes may range from elation and euphoria to anxiety and paranoia. Entheogenic experiences are spiritual and can be transcendent.

In the event of an overdose, it is necessary to monitor cardiac function and provide supportive care in a calm and reassuring environment.

The use of synthetic psychedelics, such as 25I-NBOMe, has been linked to several adverse effects including acute cardiac events, central nervous system dysfunction, and limb ischemia. Additionally, there have been reports of serotonin syndrome and even fatalities directly attributed to the use of synthetic psychedelics.

AP

Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985

The Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 is a law that deals with drugs and their trafficking in India.

The act has been amended three times since its enactment in 1985. It prohibits the production, sale, purchase, transportation, and consumption of various narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances, such as cannabis, heroin, and opium, but bhang is not prohibited.

Section 20 of the Act specifies the punishment for offences related to cannabis. The punishment depends on the quantity of drugs seized; in some cases, a repeat offender may face the death penalty.