Psychedelic substances have been used for thousands of years across multiple cultures as part of rituals and medical interventions. Studies have shown samples of yarrow and camomile, non-nutritional plants, in Neanderthal dental samples. 

Other researchers date cannabis usage in Ethiopia back to the 13th or 14th century, the psychedelic mushroom Amanita muscaria as late as the 18th century, and mescaline all the way back to 3700-3600 BC.

With such widespread use and intimate relationship with global cultures, why are psychedelic substances still considered taboo?

Brief Psychedelic History

LSD was first discovered by Albert Hofmann in 1938 while he was researching different substances from plants known to produce hallucinations. After synthesizing the chemical, he tested it through routine studies without much luck in medical application.  

He put the chemical on the back burner until around 1943. 

Hofmann took 250 μg of LSD and had a profound trip, full of dizziness, confusion, hallucinations, and eventually euphoria. 

Between the 1950s and early 1960s, countless researchers conducted investigations on LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and other psychedelic substances. These studies helped propel the research on ways to treat anxiety, depression, and other mental ailments. 

They also led to the development of modern fields of psychopharmacology and neuropharmacology. Many institutions emerged, like the American College of Neuropsychopharmacology, the American Psychological Association’s Psychopharmacology, and many others.

Unfortunately, by 1970, LSD and other psychedelic substances received backlash and were included in Schedule I of the federal Controlled Substances Act. These substances, which showed promise for opening new pathways in the brain and treating various conditions, were now viewed in the same light as heroin.

Nearly 50 years later, researchers are starting to conduct studies on the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, but the substances remain prohibited under federal law. 

Psychedelic Legalization 

Psychedelic legalization and decriminalization vary from country to country. Some countries have legalized certain substances under specific situations. Other regions have decriminalized substances, allowing people to possess psychedelics with only minor fines. 

The United States

Psychedelic substances are considered illegal in the United States due to the Controlled Substances Act. Fortunately, this is starting to change, and some exceptions have been applied. 

For example, Native Americans can use peyote for ceremonial use in 28 states.

Oregon decriminalized several drugs in 2020 through Measure 110 despite backlash and an effort to criminalize certain substances. In Colorado, the possession and use of small amounts of natural psychedelic substances is decriminalized for individuals 21 and over. 

Colorado also legalized the supervised use of psilocybin at licensed sites with licensed clinical coordinators. Washington, DC, also decriminalized the personal use of psilocybin in 2020. 

As you can see, there is a growing list of states and cities across the United States that are changing their psychedelic laws. 

South Africa

Ibogaine, a naturally occurring psychoactive substance found in plants, is considered a medication in South Africa. Ibogaine is commonly used to treat opioid and cocaine addiction.

It can be provided by licensed professionals in South Africa. 

Jamaica

Many psychonauts visit Jamaica, as psilocybin has never been illegal in the region. The country has different medicinal protocols, like the De La Haye psilocybin Treatment Protocol (DPTP), consisting of an 8-week outpatient program of taking micro-doses of psilocybin mushrooms. 

Australia

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), which oversees medication regulation, approved the use of specific psychedelics by certified psychiatrists for particular mental health disorders. 

The TGA has authorized the prescription of MDMA to treat PTSD and psilocybin for individuals with depression who have not responded to other treatments. Additionally, ibogaine has been approved for the treatment of addiction in Australia.

Canada 

Under the Controlled Drugs and Substance Act, most psychedelics are illegal in Canada. That said, it’s legal to use and possess 5-MeO-DMT.

In 2022, an amendment was made allowing physicians to request access to various psychedelic substances, like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA. These are only available for specific medical conditions and must be administered by a licensed clinician. 

Decriminalization Movements

We only touched on a few of the countries that have legalized psychedelics across the world. Psychedelic and psychoactive substances have varying degrees of legality in regions across Peru, Portugal, New Zealand, and more. 

But what about decriminalization movements?

Decriminalization in the United States

In May 2019, Denver, Colorado, made history as the first U.S. city to decriminalize psilocybin mushrooms, following a close ballot victory where 50.6% supported the measure. 

The initiative didn’t legalize the mushrooms but instead prevented Denver from using any funds to pursue legal action against individuals for using or possessing them. This law applies only to those aged 21 and over. 

Psilocybin continued to be illegal in Colorado until November 2022, when Proposition 122 went into effect. 

This decision had a cascading effect, impacting different cities across the United States. 

In June 2019, thirty people shared their personal experiences with psilocybin at a city council meeting in Oakland, California, influencing the council’s decision to alter the legal status of psychedelic substances. The result was a unanimous vote to decriminalize psilocybin and peyote. 

More and more cities across the United States are changing laws on psychedelic substances. Some of the most notable moments include the following:

January 2020, Santa Cruz, California:

• Unanimous vote to decriminalize adult possession and cultivation of psilocybin.

September 2020, Ann Arbor, Michigan:

• City Council unanimously passed a resolution making law enforcement actions against entheogenic plants (such as psilocybin) the lowest priority, including actions like planting, cultivating, purchasing, transporting, distributing, or possessing these substances.

November 2020, Oregon:

• Became the first state in the U.S. to decriminalize magic mushrooms and legalize it for supervised non-medical use following the passage of Ballot Measure 109.

November 2020, District of Columbia:

• Passed Initiative 81, titled the Entheogenic Plant and Fungus Policy Act of 2020, which took effect on March 15, 2021.

• Decriminalizes psychedelics such as psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline, prioritizing them as the lowest concern for police action.

January 2021, Somerville, Massachusetts:

• The City Council voted unanimously to decriminalize the possession of entheogenic plants, including psilocybin mushrooms and ibogaine.

• Possession of psilocybin mushrooms is also decriminalized in Easthampton, Northampton, and Cambridge.

Decriminalization Movements in the United Kingdom

Unfortunately, LSD, psilocybin, and ayahuasca are still a controlled substance in the United Kingdom. 

These substances are still Schedule 1, meaning they are seen without any therapeutic benefit and require a license and security clearance for research. Advocacy groups are fighting to change this classification to Schedule 2 so researchers can study the compounds and their medicinal benefits.

These groups include the Conservative Drug Policy Reform Group, Hystelica, and more. Some movements include pushing for medicinal use for end-of-life cancer treatment, military veterans, and specific medical conditions.

There aren’t any plans from the U.K. government to change the status, but it’s a step in the right direction. 

Public Perception of Psychedelics Is Changing

The public perception of psychedelic substances is changing at a rapid rate. More and more individuals are supporting decriminalization and medicinal treatment protocols. 

The most recent example comes from the July 2023 UC Berkeley Psychedelics Survey. The results suggest that 61% of registered voters in the United States support legalizing regulated therapeutic access to psychedelic substances.

• 35% of the surveyed individuals claim a “strong” support for legalization. 

• 56% of those surveyed support FDA approval for psychedelics via prescription. 

• 78% of those surveyed support making the study of psychedelic substances more accessible. 

• 49% of individuals support eliminating criminal penalties for personal use and possession. 

Although many voters support policy reformation, 61% of those surveyed claimed they do not perceive these substances as “good for society.” 69% of those polled claim psychedelics aren’t for them. 

Medical Student Attitudes Toward Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies

In the fall semester of 2022, 580 medical students across Nevada received an email survey on their attitude toward psychedelic-assisted therapies. Only 132 medical students participated in the survey, but the results were promising.

Roughly 78% of students agreed that psychedelic substances have therapeutic potential. 95.2% claimed psychedelics should receive further research to determine their benefits. 

Interestingly, roughly 20% of those surveyed claimed psychedelics should be illegal for recreational purposes.

34.9% of the medical students aged 18–24 and 60.6% between 25–34. The survey didn’t reveal any statistically significant changes depending on the age, sex, and level of training of the medical students. 

Mental Health Workers Attitudes Toward Psychedelics

Another questionnaire from 2021 asked 99 participants to complete a survey on their attitudes toward psychedelics. The individuals were recruited from Tallaght Community Mental Health Service and St. Patrick’s University Hospital in Dublin. 

• 36% of participants agreed that psilocybin could be beneficial for mental disorders. 

• 31% agreed it could be helpful for depression, 24% for anxiety, and 20% for addiction disorders. 

• 72% agreed that psilocybin should be researched for medicinal benefits, 

• 59% claimed that psilocybin should be given medical treatment status. 

• 36% claimed psilocybin can be safely enjoyed recreationally.

• 30% claimed the substance should be illegal for recreational purposes. 

Final Thoughts

Psychedelic substances have been used for centuries as part of rituals, rites of passage, and medicinal treatments. Multiple studies have backed the medicinal benefits for various conditions, like depression, PTSD, and chronic pain.

More work needs to be done to change the public perception and legal status of psychedelic compounds.

Fortunately, advocacy groups and changes across the globe are happening more and more. These changes could lead to a psychedelic revolution, allowing for therapeutic and recreational benefits. 

Author: Aarron Lopex

Aarron Lopex has experienced several spiritual experiences through psychedelics, meditation, and prayer. He seeks to go into detail on these topics, providing a scientific approach to metaphysical topics and self-development.