For this discussion, I will focus on the use of psychedelics to treat a variety of
mental health disorders that I discussed in module three. As highlighted by Ercolano
(2022), scientists and researchers have spent the last 22 years both researching and
advocating for the use of Psilocybin( magic mushrooms) instead of anti-depressants to
treat depression, PTSD, anxiety, and other mental health issues. Mental health disorders
not only affect the individual but have a negative impact on the ability to create and
maintain healthy social relationships with others. As well as that, anti-depressants come
with a Black Box warning which means they could heighten suicide risks and the research
shows that Psilocybin uses not only improves the quality of life, and mental health, but
also helps to improve socialization as more productive members of the community. Using
both the social and scientific lens allows both myself and others to see how the research
proves this alternative medicine improves not only a variety of disorders but also improves
the wellness of the individual as well as those around them.
Ercolano, A. (2022, February 25). Johns Hopkins Center for psychedelic and
Consciousness Research. Johns Hopkins Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness
Research. Retrieved July 15, 2022, from
https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/psychiatry/research/psychedelics-
research.html#:~:text=In%20a%20small%20double%2Dblind,in%20hallucinogenic%20%
E2%80%9Cmagic%20mushrooms.%E2%80%9D
