Mainstream media, particularly here in New Zealand, is making a big deal about the supposed benefits of magic mushrooms, more often thought of as psychedelics and technically involving the chemical compound psilocybin, found in some mushrooms. A recent NZ Herald article is a good case in point, which you can read here.
What is striking in the reporting is a near lack of any coverage of the issues with magic mushrooms, psychedelics, and hallucinogens such as LSD. The picture painted is all rosy, yet little is discussed about how promoting such drugs and pushing to legalise them also sends a message to people, particularly the young, that because it’s a medicine and legal, it’s ok to use more generally. While some studies are showing benefits for very particular groups, what we also observe are pro-drug proponents attempt to leverage their recreational usage by pushing open the medicinal door.
A recent report from the United States referenced a 15 year boy who, high on magic mushrooms, thought it was a great idea to climb a construction crane at the University of Colorado-Boulder and then fell to his death.
The state of Colorado is also a case in point. Global research indicates there could be limited medicinal benefits for people suffering from depression or the likes PTSD, and yet these situations were then amplified by companies and lobbyists in Colorado to argue for wider legalisation. No longer do people need a doctor but instead can go to ‘healing centres’ to get a wide variety of psychedelics from poorly trained individuals.
While media in New Zealand and elsewhere continue to push a positive-only message, the risks of using psychedelics are both serious and real. Even some users are careful to note that people have to be very careful when accessing these drugs. For example, they warn that if you are already anxious, these magic mushrooms make things worse. They also warn about ensuring you are in safe physical place, so not a music festival or public setting.
Along with seeking a pseudo-medical cloak of responsibility, proponents are always pushing to greater and greater use. What has started as a discussion of ‘micro-dosing’ has already morphed into a push for a ‘midi-dose’. It does not take a genius to work out that the next push will be for ‘full-dose’ or whatever euphemism is chosen.
Research is ongoing into the impact of magic mushrooms and other psychedelics and hallucinogens into the likes of PTSD, depression, addiction, as well as heart desire and dementia. From what we can read and observe, most is being researching within a clearly defined medical framework. The usage remains very much at the clinical trial level and yet media here in New Zealand are already promoting it’s wider use, ignoring the real risks (as the 15 year old and his family tragically found out) while also suggesting an expansion from the medial to the recreational.