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Magic Mushrooms, LSD and other psychedelics might protect against depression and suicide
http://www.al.com/news/birmingham/index.ssf/2015/01/magic_mushrooms_lsd_and_other.html
Magic Mushrooms, LSD and other psychedelics might protect against depression and suicide
By Amy Yurkanin on January 15, 2015
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - People who use psychedelic drugs report less depression and fewer suicidal thoughts than those who never dropped acid or took mushrooms, according to research published yesterday in the "Journal of Psychopharmacology."
Lead author Peter Hendricks is a professor of clinical psychology at UAB. He and the other researchers culled the data from almost 200,000 responses to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. People who said they used psychedelic drugs at least once in their life reported better mental health and fewer suicide attempts. The results set psychedelics apart from other drugs. Lifetime users of substances such as cocaine, marijuana and heroin reported poorer mental health and a higher frequency of suicidal thoughts.
<snip>
Hendricks said he thinks the improvement in mental health could come from the spiritual nature of the psychedelic experience.
"The mechanisms we are talking about are mystical experiences that can be transformative," Hendricks said. "It can be an epiphany, like Ebenezer Scrooge. Your personality, your values and your mood can change in a very short amount of time."
<snip>
"Despite advances in mental health treatment, suicide rates have not declined," Hendricks said. "We have a problem with suicide and we don't seem to be getting better at preventing self-harm. It's exciting to think that this could be one of the interventions that could make a difference."
<snip>
Magic Mushrooms, LSD and other psychedelics might protect against depression and suicide
By Amy Yurkanin on January 15, 2015
BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - People who use psychedelic drugs report less depression and fewer suicidal thoughts than those who never dropped acid or took mushrooms, according to research published yesterday in the "Journal of Psychopharmacology."
Lead author Peter Hendricks is a professor of clinical psychology at UAB. He and the other researchers culled the data from almost 200,000 responses to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health. People who said they used psychedelic drugs at least once in their life reported better mental health and fewer suicide attempts. The results set psychedelics apart from other drugs. Lifetime users of substances such as cocaine, marijuana and heroin reported poorer mental health and a higher frequency of suicidal thoughts.
<snip>
Hendricks said he thinks the improvement in mental health could come from the spiritual nature of the psychedelic experience.
"The mechanisms we are talking about are mystical experiences that can be transformative," Hendricks said. "It can be an epiphany, like Ebenezer Scrooge. Your personality, your values and your mood can change in a very short amount of time."
<snip>
"Despite advances in mental health treatment, suicide rates have not declined," Hendricks said. "We have a problem with suicide and we don't seem to be getting better at preventing self-harm. It's exciting to think that this could be one of the interventions that could make a difference."
<snip>
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