Mental Health: A Universal Human Right We Can Reclaim Through Psychedelics

This World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization declared “mental health is a universal human right.” If that's so, then why is access to psychedelics still so limited despite extensive evidence demonstrating their mental health benefits? The time has come to recognize access to psychedelic plants and fungi as a universal human right.

Naturalistic psychedelic use refers to consumption in non-clinical, real-world settings as opposed to controlled research trials. And recent research published in Frontiers in Psychiatry showed that using psychedelics in naturalistic settings is associated with wide-ranging improvements in mental health including reduced depression, anxiety, and alcohol misuse. The study also found enhancements in areas like cognitive flexibility, emotional regulation, personality traits, spirituality, and burnout.

The large-scale study followed over 2800 adults planning to use psilocybin mushrooms in naturalistic settings and assessed their mental health and wellbeing before and after use. It found that on average, participants exhibited significant decreases in depression, anxiety, and alcohol misuse that persisted for months after their psilocybin experience. Additionally, cognitive flexibility, ability to regulate emotions, extraversion, and sense of spiritual wellbeing increased in most subjects.

These findings indicate that with proper education, preparation, and community support, psychedelics used in naturalistic contexts outside research settings can provide substantial mental health benefits. In fact, the improvements were on par with results from controlled clinical trials of psychedelics.

While some policymakers argue psychedelics should only be used in restrictive clinical settings, the research on naturalistic use suggests decriminalization could provide similar mental health benefits to more people. With proper education and community support, psychedelic use in naturalistic settings may confer comparable improvements as controlled studies.

In fact, for millennia indigenous peoples have used psychedelic plants and fungi in ceremonial contexts to induce transformative spiritual experiences and connect more deeply with community. Many of these traditions continue today and provide models for how psychedelics can be integrated into community practices.

Full decriminalization means removing all criminal penalties for personal use, possession, and cultivation of psychedelic plants and fungi. This is different from legalization, which would involve regulating and controlling psychedelics through government-sanctioned dispensaries or clinics. The goal of movements like Decriminalize Nature is to provide equitable access to psychedelic plants that grow naturally, without interference or restrictions from authorities. Decriminalization allows individuals to develop personal relationships with these plants without fear of punishment. And it enables communities to integrate psychedelics into social and ceremonial practices, relying on education and mutual support rather than government regulation. This approach emphasizes the universal human right to mental health that psychedelics may provide when used responsibly.

DN has already helped pass successful campaigns for full decriminalization in cities like Denver, Oakland, Santa Cruz and Ann Arbor. This people-powered movement understands the urgent need for innovative solutions as mental health disorders and suicides continue rising globally.

In fact, the rate of suicide in the United States has climbed over 30% in the last two decades. And around the world, over 700,000 people die from suicide every year. The accumulating evidence clearly points to psychedelics' potential for healing minds, nurturing personal growth, deepening spirituality, and strengthening community bonds.

As rates of depression, anxiety and substance abuse soar, psychedelics could provide a new paradigm for mental health treatment that is affordable, sustainable, and empowering. When combined with therapeutic techniques, they have demonstrated fast-acting, long-lasting results for many conditions.

Some scientists have raised ethical concerns about greater accessibility, citing potential risks like anxiety reactions. However, research shows that with preparation, education, and integration, psychedelics can be used safely in natural settings. We must weigh the demonstrated benefits against the costs of restricting access to those who are suffering.

On this World Mental Health Day, it’s time we cut through the taboos and misinformation surrounding psychedelics. We must objectively evaluate the evidence, which signals immense promise.

Therefore, let’s boldly declare expanded access to psychedelic plants and fungi a universal human right. The time has come to fully decriminalize nature’s gifts and acknowledge our place in the web of life includes journeying with these sacred allies for mental health and re-connection.

When aligned with proper education, preparation, and community integration, psychedelics offer a promising path to reclaiming our universal right to mental health and well-being.

So I ask you, do you think psychedelic plants and fungi should be fully decriminalized? Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!

References:

World Health Organization. (2022). World Mental Health Day 2022 - Mental health is a universal human right [Fact Sheet]. https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022

Nayak, S. M., Jackson, H., Sepeda, N. D., Mathai, D. S., So, S., Yaffe, A., Zaki, H., Brasher, T. J., Lowe, M. X., Jolly, D. R. P., Barrett, F. S., Griffiths, R. R., Strickland, J. C., Johnson, M. W., Jackson, H., & Garcia-Romeu, A. (2023). Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing: Results from a prospective, longitudinal survey. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 14. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1199642

https://www.decriminalizenature.org/