The Potential Therapeutic Benefits of Psychedelics - a podcast by WNYC and PRX

Bicycle Daycommemorates the daywhen Swiss chemist Albert Hofmann was the first human to trip on LSD on April 19, 1943.

And now, there is a growing movementin the United States to decriminalize and legalize psychedelic substances, such as psilocybin – the active ingredient in “magic mushrooms.” New research shows that these psychedelic drugs can be used for recreation and also fortherapeutic treatments.

In November 2020, Oregonbecame the first stateto legalize psilocybin-assisted therapy, alongside decriminalizing the personal possession of drugs more broadly. InCities such asDenver, Oakland, California and Washington, D.C., voters have approved ballot measures to decriminalize the personal possession of psychedelic mushrooms.

And although Psilocybin and other psychedelics remain illegal under federal drug laws, there are several prominent universities studying psychedelic-aided therapy and its effectiveness in treating mental health conditions including depression, anxiety,PTSD and – perhaps most surprisingly –addiction.

We speak withMichael Pollan, Co-founder of the Berkeley Center for the Science of Psychedelics and author ofHow To Change Your Mind: What The New Science Of Psychedelics Teaches Us About Consciousness, Dying, Addiction, Depression, And Transcendence, about the history of Bicycle Day, the criminalization of psychedelics, and psychedelic-aided therapy.

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