Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

independent.co.uk

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

131–140 of 236 posts

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#131

Post by refurb »

mikefivedeuce wrote: post #10
arkades wrote: post #8

This is NOT a trial that was designed to assess the safety of psilocybin. This was a trial meant to show that a particular dosage of psilocybin is /safe enough/ to pursue further research in that dose range. This was a /phase one/ clinical trial. Phase One: administer small doses under very close supervision in a tiny number of people to determine whether it's immediately dangerous, or safe enough /for further study/…

Thanks for this breakdown. Any thoughts on how this process might unfold for psilocybin as opposed to a drug that's subject to a chemical patent? Funding, timing, etc.

They can’t get a “composition of matter” patent, since psilocybin is already known.

They could get a “method of use” patent that describes treating a co diction with psilocybin.

Even without either of those, the FDA will give them 3 years of market exclusivity (no other drugs will be approved).

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#133

Post by pmoriarty »

coffeemug wrote: post #130

Counter-anecdote: I've experimented with this stuff extensively in various settings and have known many other people who did, and in my experience it's unequivocally bullshit. Here's what happens. First, any given trip alleviates depression for about a month or two. That makes sense to me in a sense that the word "trip" isn't a coincidence-- a really fun intense vacation in a foreign country also alleviates depressio…

Counter-counter anecdote:

I was just listening to an interview[1] with Dennis McKenna[2] (brother of Terence McKenna[3]) in which he said:

"If I'm going to take it [a psychedelic substance] I'm going to pay attention to it. It's sort of like you have an opportunity to sit with someone who's very wise and they have stuff to tell you and so they deserve that respect. That's what's changed. I give it my respect.

"And sometimes people say, well, you've been doing this 50 years haven't you got the lesson yet? .. there's one perspective that says 'once you get the message hang up the phone'.

"Well, maybe I'm a slow learner but I'm still learning from these things. They're not like an answering machine. It's not like there's only one message.

"It's like if you had a mentor, a teacher, someone who you respect you're not going to reach a point where you say, 'well, basically I've learned everything you have to tell me so thank you very much and I'll be on my way.' Chances are they still know more and they always will know more than you will know.

"Every time I take ayahuasca or mushrooms I learn something new or I am reminded of what I've forgotten, what's easy to forget in the day-to-day hustle of life. I just feel it's still valuable. In some ways it's a touchstone. It's a way of getting back to that place, that sacred space, sacred time environment where you can remind yourself of the eternal truths."

Second counter-anecdote:

Ram Dass[4], in his 80's after suffering a stroke, when asked in an interview that I can't find at the moment about what LSD has done for him replied "I'm happy. I've had a stroke and I'm happy. That's LSD."

[1] - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGYm5OdvwNs

[2] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_McKenna

[3] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Terrence_McKenna

[4] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ram_dass

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#134

Post by vokep »

coffeemug wrote: post #130

Counter-anecdote: I've experimented with this stuff extensively in various settings and have known many other people who did, and in my experience it's unequivocally bullshit. Here's what happens. First, any given trip alleviates depression for about a month or two. That makes sense to me in a sense that the word "trip" isn't a coincidence-- a really fun intense vacation in a foreign country also alleviates depressio…

I think this is relevant https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=21590028

I see what you mean and you're certainly right for a segment of the population that seems to get caught on the high without much skepticism of it.

That said, it is in not bullshit, and its not bullshit precisely because of what cite as being the bullshit: People take it and get the same benefit as going on a multi-week vacation. At least that can happen. Given you report your own experimentation, I'm curious if you mean psychedelics as a whole or specifically psilocybin? I'm curious of this because while I have experienced significant change in my worldview as a result of LSD trips, I had none of the same from shrooms. They're fun for sure, but I felt the next day the same I would if I spent the same time smoking cannabis. Family members of mine also have had shrooms and similarly found little to no productive value in them, but have found value in LSD. The temptation to suspect a genetic link is obvious, but of course thats just my n=1. When on LSD I tried a sort of self-therapy that seemed extremely successful, thinking through issues and considering new narratives of worldview. I've also had LSD trips where I didn't attempt such self-therapy, and found that I woke the next day feeling no different. I also tried self-therapy on shrooms and thought it was working during the trip, but woke up feeling just the same as before. So I think methodical thought through whatever is making the person feel depressed is absolutely necessary if any success is to be expected.

I suspect that many of the people who have gotten the best of the benefits of psychedelics and led successful lives are just not so vocal about it. I feel LSD has majorly helped me, but I'm really not about to go preaching that, because while it helped, it wasn't the only component. I also made the choices to use what I learned on it and change how I behave.

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#135

Post by proc0 »

tnecniv wrote: post #115
proc0 wrote: post #111

Recently tried shrooms for the first time and was a bit underwhelmed, but not sure if I'm micro-dosing or what. Tried the regular variety and some other allegedly Thai shrooms, which definitely had a stronger effect. I tried a few stems at first, and then ramped up the dosage with slightly more 'visuals', but it's like I have to eat a whole handful or just let my body learn to process it or something.

Typically you have to eat a whole bunch if your goal is to trip. Since they don't taste very good, people often eat them with other fun to help mask the taste (pickles, peanut butter, etc). I'm sure you can find dosage guides online easily enough.

Right, that's probably it then. Yeah a concentrated edible would be interesting.

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#136

Post by zimbu668 »

mgarfias wrote: post #132

How the hell do I get into one of these trials?

I got in to one of those trials when someone posted the sign up link on HackerNews and I applied. If you're near Baltimore you could see if you are a match for any of their current studies: https://hopkinspsychedelic.org/

Other in process research studies: https://maps.org/other-psychedelic-research/211-psilocybin-r...

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#137

Post by dang »

driverdan wrote: post #127
dang wrote: post #122

Earlier quoted context omitted.

OK, we've changed to that from https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/magic-mushroom-dep... . Thanks!

That's the wrong study.

Urgh. Thanks. We'll switch back to the original URL.

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#138

Post by maroonblazer »

pmoriarty wrote: post #119
goldcd wrote: post #107

This is sub-anecdotal, I know - but I recently after many years of "don't mess with my head" took mirtazapine for mild-depression/over-awareness-of-the-actual-state-of-the-world-around-me. I feel better. Only noticeable effects were that I fell asleep much faster and woke up (refreshed) remembering all manner of weird clear dreams. Previously was one of those people who for the last decade couldn't recall a single dr…

"I fell asleep much faster and woke up (refreshed) remembering all manner of weird clear dreams. Previously was one of those people who for the last decade couldn't recall a single dream (and had trouble nodding off)." Just another anecdote, but I've found many techniques that have worked for me to greatly enhance my dream recall that don't require any drugs. The first technique is just to get interested in dreams, r…

Here's what I've found useful in helping to remember dreams: Set an alarm to wake yourself 2-3 hours earlier than you normally do, then fall back to sleep. Upon waking at my usual hour I'm usually able to recall quite vividly whatever dream(s) I had over that 2-ish hour period.

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#139

Post by throwawaycanada »

coffeemug wrote: post #130

Counter-anecdote: I've experimented with this stuff extensively in various settings and have known many other people who did, and in my experience it's unequivocally bullshit. Here's what happens. First, any given trip alleviates depression for about a month or two. That makes sense to me in a sense that the word "trip" isn't a coincidence-- a really fun intense vacation in a foreign country also alleviates depressio…

For a lot of people when it "works" for them is when they discover they no longer need the drug at all and feel they know more about themselves. You describe it here:

"Most people realize that their psychonautic journey is at best leading them in circles, and at worst is causing their life to spiral down the drain. So they give it up, get a job without 9pm slack messages (or find a better way to adjust to stress), marry someone who isn't constantly on the verge of cheating, start doing regular exercise, and generally find a way to settle into a reasonably balanced life."

Perhaps this period of self examination is what leads so many to such similar conclusions?

Re: Psilocybin found safe for consumption in largest ever controlled study

#140

Post by yarg »

pmoriarty wrote: post #81
yarg wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Magic mushrooms were the first substance to make me feel like myself after years and years of deep depression. But I didn't get quite the one hit, life changing state of mind that is often attributed to psychedelics. One thing that I have read is that the whole life-changing thing requires a transcendental experience - and that participants who failed to reach that echelon didn't experience long term improvement. I c…

"Magic mushrooms were the first substance to make me feel like myself after years and years of deep depression. But I didn't get quite the one hit, life changing state of mind that is often attributed to psychedelics." Did you take them under the supervision of a trained psychedelic therapist, with the appropriate dose, with the right intention, in a therapeutic context, over multiple sessions, using a protocol desig…

I don't exactly reside in a jurisdiction where that's an option.
Post reply on HN