The Harvard Crimson
Experts on psychedelic use and drug regulation discussed whether psychedelic therapy should be legalized federally at a Wednesday event hosted by the Petrie-Flom Center for Health Law Policy, Biotechnology, and Bioethics at Harvard Law School.
During the event, moderated by former editor-in-chief of Slate Magazine David Plotz, the panelists weighed the benefits of using psychedelics for treating trauma and mood disorders and considered the need for oversight by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
David B. Yaden, a professor of psychedelic research at Johns Hopkins University, began the panel by explaining how classic psychedelics — psilocybin, LSD, and DMT — have shown increasing progress in treating mood and substance use disorders.
Psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, is now in phase three out of four in its clinical trials.
However, most psychedelic compounds remain illegal and unapproved by the FDA.
Matthew “Whiz” Buckley, a former Navy TOPGUN fighter pilot, said psychedelics helped him heal from past traumatic events during his childhood and suicidal thoughts following his career in the military.
“I sat with Ibogaine, and it was the most spiritual experience of my life,” Buckley said. “I reconnected with my sister, my dad, and my God.”
Following his recovery with psychedelic therapy, Buckley founded the No Fallen Heroes Foundation, a nonprofit organization that provides psychedelic therapy to veterans with the goal of reducing veteran suicide rates.
Veterans face a 58 percent higher risk of suicide than non-veterans, averaging 17.6 deaths per day as of 2022.
