Studies Take a New Look at Psychedelics

Researchers are gathering this week to talk about a seeming relic of the ’60s, experiments with psychedelic drugs. The conference in San Jose, Calif., will draw people from around the world, the New York Times said April 11. Much of the new research uses psilocybin, an ingredient in certain mushrooms. The new studies are small. They are also much more carefully controlled than early studies of LSD, the Times said. To guard against bad reactions, people receive the drugs in a calm, controlled environment. Results are measured in standard ways. Some studies use scans to see what occurs in the people’s brains. The drugs are being used to treat depression in cancer patients, obsessive-compulsive disorder, end-of-life anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder and addiction to drugs or alcohol. Early results are promising, the Times said.