Psychiatrist calls for rethink on psychedelic drug restrictions
Legal classification of LSD and magic mushrooms is hampering important medical research, says expert
Psychedelic drugs, such as LSD and magic mushrooms, are less harmful than previously claimed and should be reclassified so they can potentially treat anxiety and addictions, a leading psychiatrist has said.
Writing in the BMJ, James Rucker, honorary lecturer at the Institute of Psychiatry, says there is no evidence to show the drugs are habit-forming and little evidence to show they are harmful when used in controlled settings.
However, legal restrictions introduced in 1967 have made clinical studies into their benefits almost impossible. Pilot studies outside the UK have indicated that psychedelics could be effective in treating anxiety associated with advanced cancer, as well as obsessive compulsive disorder, tobacco and alcohol addiction and cluster headaches.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The legal classification of psychedelic drugs – which is more severe than that of heroin and cocaine – means that researchers face "practical, financial and bureaucratic obstacles" when trying to carry out medical trials involving the drugs, says Rucker.
Only one manufacturer in the world produces psilocybin (found in magic mushrooms) at a sufficient quality and charges £100,000 for one gram, he writes. On top of that, institutions and prescribers in the UK require licences that cost thousands of pounds.
"Only four hospitals currently hold such licences, which come with regular police inspections and onerous rules on storage and transport," he says.
Rucker is calling on the UK Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs and the UN to support the reclassification of psychedelics, which are currently classified as schedule 1 drugs under the UK Misuse of Drugs Regulations, which governs research, and as class A drugs under the UK Misuse of Drugs Act 1971.
This schedule 1 classification indicates that they have "no accepted medical use and the greatest potential for harm, despite the existence of research evidence to the contrary", says Rucker. He wants them classified as schedule 2 compounds, the same as the "less restricted but more harmful drugs" such as heroin.
The Home Office told The Independent it had a "clear licensing regime, supported by legislation, which allows legitimate research to take place in a secure environment while ensuring that harmful drugs are not misused and do not get into the hands of criminals".
Create an account with the same email registered to your subscription to unlock access.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Why the UK phone signal is so poor
Under The Radar Having trouble connecting? A lack of investment, planning rules and even your home could be to blame
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Battleground states to watch in the 2024 election
In Depth These seven states could end up deciding who wins the White House this year
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Leave the crowds behind at these 7 sensational hotels
The Week Recommends Traveling in September means more room to explore
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
4 Americans kidnapped in Mexico by armed gunmen, 2 killed, FBI says
Speed Read
By Justin Klawans Published
-
Amsterdam bans cannabis smoking outside in red light district
Speed Read City council is introducing new rules to improve the quality of life for locals
By Sorcha Bradley Published
-
Magic mushroom church sues local police
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Magic mushrooms offered at Harley St clinic
feature And other stories from the stranger side of life
By The Week Staff Published
-
Home Office worker accused of spiking mistress’s drink with abortion drug
Speed Read Darren Burke had failed to convince his girlfriend to terminate pregnancy
By The Week Staff Published
-
In hock to Moscow: exploring Germany’s woeful energy policy
Speed Read Don’t expect Berlin to wean itself off Russian gas any time soon
By The Week Staff Published
-
Were Covid restrictions dropped too soon?
Speed Read ‘Living with Covid’ is already proving problematic – just look at the travel chaos this week
By The Week Staff Last updated
-
Inclusive Britain: a new strategy for tackling racism in the UK
Speed Read Government has revealed action plan setting out 74 steps that ministers will take
By The Week Staff Published