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Psychedelics show promise but divide experts on safety and access
A growing body of research suggests psychedelic substances like psilocybin-found in magic mushrooms-could offer breakthrough treatments for depression, trauma, and addiction. Yet sharp disagreements persist among scientists, regulators, and patients over whether these drugs should be prescribed outside clinical trials.
Personal stories highlight benefits and risks
For actress Larissa Hope, a single supervised dose of psilocybin at age 17 became a turning point in her struggle with suicidal ideation. The experience, she recalls, triggered an overwhelming sense of safety she had never known. "I burst out crying," she says. "It was the first time in my life I felt a sense of belonging in my body. I kept saying, 'I'm home, I'm home.'" Nearly two decades later, Hope credits the therapy-combined with conventional treatment-for helping her confront her trauma.
Others describe far darker outcomes. Jules Evans, now director of the Challenging Psychedelic Experiences Project, suffered a harrowing LSD trip at 18 that left him convinced he had permanently damaged his mind. "I believed everyone was judging me," he says. The experience triggered years of panic attacks and a PTSD diagnosis. Evans now advocates for greater awareness of psychedelics' potential harms, citing data that 52% of regular users report intensely difficult trips, with 39% ranking them among the worst experiences of their lives.
Clinical trials fuel optimism but face hurdles
Over 20 clinical trials since 2022 have tested psychedelics for conditions like depression, PTSD, and addiction. Results are mixed: some show significant benefits, while others yield inconclusive or negative findings. UK biotech firm Compass Pathways is set to release data from one of the largest psilocybin trials later this year, which the country's medicines regulator is closely monitoring as it weighs potential policy changes.
Prof. Oliver Howes, chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Psychopharmacology Committee, calls psychedelics "a promising new avenue" but stresses the need for rigorous evidence. "We desperately need better treatments for mental health disorders," he says. "But we must avoid overhyping benefits before large-scale trials confirm safety and efficacy."
Regulatory and scientific challenges
Psychedelics like psilocybin, LSD, and MDMA remain classified as Schedule 1 drugs in the UK-deemed to have no medical value-limiting their use to tightly controlled research. Ketamine, which has a different legal status, is already used in some medical treatments. Advocates argue the current restrictions stifle progress. "There are so many people suffering unnecessarily," says Prof. David Nutt, whose groundbreaking work at Imperial College London helped revive interest in psychedelics. "The barriers to research are a moral failing."
Critics, however, warn of risks. A 2024 analysis in the British Medical Journal highlighted difficulties in isolating the effects of psychedelics from accompanying psychotherapy. The authors also cautioned that short-term trials may overlook long-term harms, including potential for abuse. Dr. Ravi Das, a neuroscientist at University College London, acknowledges these concerns but remains hopeful. "If psychedelics prove safe and effective, I'd want them accessible via the NHS-not just for those who can afford private care," he says.
Government moves cautiously amid calls for reform
The UK government has begun easing licensing requirements for clinical trials approved by regulators, with exemptions planned for select universities and NHS sites. A cross-department working group is overseeing the rollout, but some researchers describe progress as painfully slow. "There's still a lot of red tape," Prof. Howes notes.
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs maintains that Schedule 1 drugs should remain under strict controls, citing public safety. Meanwhile, supporters of psychedelic medicine hope upcoming phase-three trials will pave the way for broader access. For patients like Hope, the stakes are personal. "Suicidality isn't about wanting to die," she reflects. "It's about wanting to finally feel peace."
