Ismail Ali: Psychedelics: History at the Crossroads
Mar 21, 2023
auto_awesome
An expert in psychedelics, Ismail Ali, explores the history and potential future of psychedelics in our society. Topics include the current crossroads in the use of psychedelics, the personal journey of Ismail Ali, the flaws in the medical system, the intersection of religious freedom and entheogens, the dark side of psychedelics, and the efforts to legalize and medicalize psychedelics.
Psychedelics have been used throughout history for religious, spiritual, celebratory, and healing purposes, highlighting their diverse potential applications.
Legal and cultural frameworks need to be developed to increase access to psychedelics while considering the potential downsides and promoting responsible use.
The recent movement towards decriminalization and medicalization of psychedelics suggests a potential future for licensed legalization, expanding access, and positively influencing public perception.
Deep dives
History of Psychedelics
The podcast delves into the past, present, and future of psychedelics, exploring their use in ancient civilizations and their current status. It discusses the religious, medical, and celebratory use of psychedelics throughout history, as well as the impact of the war on drugs in the past 50 years. The episode highlights the crossroads at which we stand today, with governments considering expanding access to psychedelics. It raises questions about how these substances can be used in modern society and the legal and cultural frameworks needed to increase access while considering potential downsides.
Director of Policy and Advocacy at MAPS
The episode features Ismail Ali, the Director of Policy and Advocacy at the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies (MAPS). Ismail shares his personal experience with psychedelics and discusses his work in developing legal and policy strategies for psychedelic access. He emphasizes the importance of education and addressing the social and cultural context in which psychedelics are used.
Current Policy Changes and Future Prospects
The podcast highlights recent policy changes related to psychedelics, such as the decriminalization of personal use and access to psilocybin treatments in Oregon and Colorado. It also mentions local initiatives in various cities. The episode discusses the potential impact of these changes and the need for harm reduction, education, and public health measures to support the responsible and safe use of psychedelics in society.
The Long-Term Activism for Legalizing Psychedelics
The podcast episode highlights the long-term activism and efforts of Rick Dovlin, the founder of MAPS (Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies), in working towards the FDA approval of MDMA since 1984. The episode discusses how MAPS has set up a non-profit and for-profit branch (MAPS Public Benefit Corporation) to conduct research, development, and eventually market MDMA. The podcast emphasizes the importance of long-term activism and the potential transformational benefits of psychedelics.
The Journey Towards Legalization and Accessible Decriminalization
The podcast delves into the future of psychedelic legalization and decriminalization. It highlights the correlation between medicalization and subsequent legalization, drawing parallels with the trajectory of marijuana legalization. The episode discusses movements towards decriminalization and medicalization of psychedelics, such as in Denver, Oakland, and ongoing efforts in Oregon. It predicts that licensed legalization of psychedelics may occur around 2035, with an emphasis on the significance of expanding access, treating patients, and positively influencing public perception.
Psychedelics and other mind-altering substances have been used for thousands of years across the world in religious, spiritual, celebratory, and healing contexts. Despite a half century of a "War on Drugs" in the United States, there has been a recent resurgence in public interest in ending drug prohibition and re-evaluating the roles these substances can play in modern society.
What can our several-thousand year history with these substances teach us about how they can be used in a modern society? What legal & cultural frameworks can be used to increase access to these substances, and what are the potential downsides of these frameworks? Ismail Ali works daily developing and implementing the legal and policy strategies that will define the next several decades of psychedelic access, and joins Long Now in an evening of exploring the deep history of psychedelics and what role they can play in our future.
Ismail Lourido Ali, JD (he/him or they/them) is the Director of Policy & Advocacy at the Multidisciplinary Association of Psychedelic Studies (MAPS), and has been personally utilizing psychedelics and other substances in celebratory & spiritual contexts for over fifteen years. Ismail works with, is formally affiliated with, or has served in leadership or board roles for numerous organizations in the drug policy reform ecosystem, including Alchemy Community Therapy Center (formerly Sage Institute), Psychedelic Bar Association, Students for Sensible Drug Policy, Chacruna Institute, and the Ayahuasca Defense Fund.
Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts
Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
