New Poll Shows 61% of Americans Support Legalizing Psychedelic Therapy

A poll by the Center for Psychedelic Sciences (BCSP) at the University of California, Berkeley, shows new data on support for legal psychedelic therapy in the United States.The results of the poll were published online June 20th The survey was also presented in what the university calls the “first-ever Berkeley survey.” Psychedelic Science 2023 Conference in Denver, Colorado.

“More than 6 in 10 (61%) of registered American voters support legalizing regulated treatment access to psychedelics, with 35% reporting ‘strong’ support. is also included Written by the University of California, Berkeley In a press release about the poll. “In addition, more than three-quarters of his voters (78%) support facilitating research into hallucinogenic substances by researchers. Nearly half (49%) support criminal penalties for personal use and possession. supports the abolition of

Opinion poll participants were asked to answer “yes,” “no,” or “other” to two questions. First, I was asked what I thought about “the creation of a regulated legal framework for the therapeutic use of psychedelics.” Next, I was asked for my opinion on “getting FDA approval to make psychedelics available to people by prescription.”

The data are the result of a “new longitudinal poll project” conducted by university researchers to track public beliefs related to psychedelic substance research, policy and cultural events. According to BCSP Executive Director Imran Khan, the data is just the beginning. “This is the first clear picture we have of how the American public thinks and feels about psychedelics. They want to reduce barriers to research for scientists and access to regulated treatments for the general public.” khan said. “Amidst the stigma and hype surrounding these powerful substances, it is vital that researchers, policymakers and practitioners understand and respond to the hopes and fears of the public. We look forward to presenting the full results of our psychedelic research.”

Kahn and Berkeley Psychedelic Survey Project Leader Taylor West previewed the data at the Psychedelic Science 2023 conference. “The level of public support for psychedelic policy reform has far exceeded my expectations. Clearly, much of the news about promising research and mental health outcomes is starting to reach the public,” West said. Told. on the stage.

The entire study will be available July 12th in an online presentation by BCSP co-founders Michael Pollan, Khan and West.If you are interested in a digital presentation, please register here.

On June 26, BCSP announced on its Twitter page that it would be hosting a psychedelic course. UC Berkeley Extension via edX platform. The course, called “Psychedelics and the Mind,” begins August 1 and will be taught by David Presti, professor of neurobiology at the University of California, Berkeley. “By becoming a more knowledgeable citizen about psychedelics, we will gain a deeper understanding of our own brains and nervous systems, an understanding of the science associated with organisms and molecules with psychedelic properties, and an understanding of the historical and contemporary background surrounding the factors. It gives us the opportunity to gain the opportunity to gain access to the world’s largest scientific journals.” It influences public opinion and legislation, and it uses these materials to assess the rapidly evolving modern clinical research. ” Course information state.

A quick look at the syllabus shows a course on “Fundamental Concepts of Neurobiology of Psychedelics” which includes substances such as LSD, psilocybin mushrooms, sacred cacti and mescaline, DMT, ayahuasca, Amazonian snuff, MDMA, ketamine, nitrous oxide, etc. range is shown. To cover this broad topic, Presti includes specialized resources such as:Raquel Bennett, Susana Bastos, Gul Dolen, Andrea Gomez, Eyes Jama Everett, Bob Jesse, Dutcher Keltner, Maria Vittoria Mangini, Jennifer Mitchell, Michael Pollan, Silvestre Quevedoand Forest Tufted Nippa”

In another first for psychedelics, the US Food and Drug Administration recently issued its first guidance for clinical research on psychedelics on June 23rd. Tiffany Falchione, M.D., director of psychiatry at the FDA’s Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, issued a statement. About recommendations for psychedelic research by authorities. “Psychedelic drugs show initial promise as potential treatments for mood, anxiety and substance use disorders. However, these are still investigational products. should consider its unique characteristics when planning clinical studies,” Falchione said. “By publishing this draft guidance, FDA hopes to outline the challenges inherent in designing psychedelic drug development programs and to provide information on how to address these challenges. Our goal is to help design studies with interpretable results that can support their pharmaceutical applications.”