Psychedelic drugs 'as safe as riding a bike or playing soccer' and could help solve addiction

The use of psychedelic drugs is as safe as riding a bike or playing football, according to the heads of a drug research organisation.
Teri Krebs and husband Pål-Ørjan Johansen say bans on drugs such as magic mushrooms and MDMA are "inconsistent with human rights" and psychedelic drugs are much less harmful to individual users and society compared to alcohol and other controlled substances.
They say that over 30 million US adults having tried psychedelics, but "there is just not much evidence of health problems" and that certain drugs could be useful in solving addiction to other, more damaging substances.
In a letter that appeared in the Lancet Psychiatry journal, the couple wrote: “Based on extensive human experience, it is generally acknowledged that psychedelics do not elicit addiction or compulsive use and that there is little evidence for an association between psychedelic use and birth defects, chromosome damage, lasting mental illness, or toxic effects to the brain or other organs.

Psychedelic drugs 'as safe as riding a bike or playing soccer' and could help solve addiction Pg-8-magic-mush-afp-getty

Psychedelic drugs 'as safe as riding a bike or playing soccer' and could help solve addiction Pg-8-magic-mush-afp-getty

Psilocybin, which is found in magic mushrooms, could help those for whom antidepressants don't work

“Although psychedelics can induce temporary confusion and emotional turmoil, hospitalisations and serious injuries are extremely rare. Overall psychedelics are not particularly dangerous when compared with other common activities.

“National and International policies should respect the human rights of individuals who choose to use psychedelics as a spiritual, personal development, or cultural activity.”

Speaking on the website of the organisation the couple founded, Johansen, who has experience in providing treatments for anxiety disorders said: "Psychedelics often produce profound experiences while at the same time having a safety risk profile comparable to many activities of daily life, such as riding a bike or playing soccer."

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/psychedelic-drugs-as-safe-as-riding-a-bike-or-playing-soccer-and-could-help-solve-addiction-10161432.html

Psychedelic drugs 'as safe as riding a bike or playing soccer' and could help solve addiction

Psychedelic drugs 'as safe as riding a bike or playing soccer' and could help solve addiction

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