Open to Debate Psychedelics for Mental Health: Help or Hype?
35 snips
Dec 13, 2024 
Ismail Ali, Director of Policy and Advocacy at MAPS, passionately supports psychedelics as promising mental health treatments, particularly for those unresponsive to conventional therapies. In contrast, Kevin Sabet, former White House drug policy advisor, raises alarms about the unknown long-term effects of these substances. They dive into the ethical concerns of legalization, the need for rigorous regulation, and the ongoing debate surrounding the legitimacy of psychedelic research. Tune in for a thought-provoking clash on mental health and psychedelics!
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
MDMA for PTSD Trial Results
- Ismail Ali highlights promising results from MDMA-assisted therapy trials for PTSD.
- In some studies, 67% of participants no longer qualified for PTSD after treatment, with over half maintaining improvement in follow-ups.
Regulation vs. Criminalization
- Ismail Ali argues that drug criminalization has failed to reduce risks and increased harm.
- Regulation, he suggests, offers more visibility and control over problematic aspects of drug use.
Regulation and Public Health
- Kevin Sabet counters that regulation doesn't guarantee safety, citing alcohol and marijuana examples.
- He argues that despite regulation, these substances still pose significant public health threats.