According to a new study conducted by the University of British Columbia (UBC), "Psychedelic drugs may help curb domestic violence committed by men with substance abuse problems." Domestic violence in the United States is a major concern with more than 4 million women subjected to physical assault and rape by their partners and two out of three females being killed by a family member or intimate partner. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has made another shocking revelation vis-a-vis domestic violence. According to it, domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among the American families. In the light of the dismal state of affairs as far as domestic violence is concerned, the UBC study observed that 42 percent of male U.S. inmates who did not take psychedelic drugs were rearrested within six years of their release due to domestic violence offences. It was only 27 percent with those who had taken the psychedelic drugs, like LSD, psilocybin (also known as magic mushrooms) and MDMA (ecstasy). The researchers followed 302 released inmates for a period of about six years to arrive at their conclusion. All inmates had a history of substance abuse. Associate Professor Zach Walsh, the co-director for UBC Okanagan's Centre for the Advancement of Psychological Science and Law, observed, "While not a clinical trial, this study, in stark contrast to prevailing attitudes that views these drugs as harmful, speaks to the public health potential of psychedelic medicine." "As existing treatments for intimate partner violence are insufficient, we need to take new perspectives such as this seriously," he added. Intimate partner violence is a huge public health problem in the country and the existing measures are not adequate to reduce the prevalence, according to him. "With proper dosage, set, and setting we might see even more profound effects. This definitely warrants further research," Prof. Walsh said. Reaping benefits of psychedelic drugs Co-author of the study, associate professor Peter Hendricks of the University of Alabama, feels that psilocybin and related compounds have the potential to revolutionize the mental health field. While the world is trying to understand better why or how these psychedelic substances could be beneficial, Prof. Hendricks said that "they can transform people's lives by providing profoundly meaningful spiritual experiences that highlight what matters most." He further said, "Often, people are struck by the realization that behaving with compassion and kindness toward others is high on the list of what matters." Trajectory of psychedelic drugs over years The journey and usage of psychedelic drugs over the years had been somewhat haphazard. While it gained prominence with extensive research and usage in treating mental conditions from 1950 to the 1970s, its importance somewhat waned during the mid-70s when it was denigrated to a controlled substance. But recent years have seen a resurgence Buy Adventures of Fun Gus Psilocybin Mushroom Gummies psychedelic drugs with renewed interest of the people on such medicines. "The experiences of unity, positivity, and transcendence that characterize the psychedelic experience may be particularly beneficial to groups that are frequently marginalized and isolated, such as the incarcerated men who participated in this study," said Prof. Walsh. If using psychedelic drugs have reduced the propensity of incarcerated inmates to indulge in domestic violence, as revealed by this study, more studies should be conducted to probe other benefits of such medicines. Those in support of psychedelic drugs say that drugs like psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms) actually calm rather than stimulate certain brain functions, while LSD can mitigate end-of-life anxiety. The drug MDMA (aka ecstasy, or Molly) is known to promote the release of oxytocin, a hormone which could help treat severe anxieties, like PTSD and social anxiety resulting from autism.
Psychedelic Drugs can prevent Domestic Violence, says Study
por Howard Feuerstein (30/01/2024)
According to a new study conducted by the University of British Columbia (UBC), "Psychedelic drugs may help curb domestic violence committed by men with substance abuse problems." Domestic violence in the United States is a major concern with more than 4 million women subjected to physical assault and rape by their partners and two out of three females being killed by a family member or intimate partner.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development has made another shocking revelation vis-a-vis domestic violence. According to it, domestic violence is the third leading cause of homelessness among the American families.
In the light of the dismal state of affairs as far as domestic violence is concerned, the UBC study observed that 42 percent of male U.S. inmates who did not take psychedelic drugs were rearrested within six years of their release due to domestic violence offences. It was only 27 percent with those who had taken the psychedelic drugs, like LSD, psilocybin (also known as magic mushrooms) and MDMA (ecstasy).
The researchers followed 302 released inmates for a period of about six years to arrive at their conclusion. All inmates had a history of substance abuse.
Associate Professor Zach Walsh, the co-director for UBC Okanagan's Centre for the Advancement of Psychological Science and Law, observed, "While not a clinical trial, this study, in stark contrast to prevailing attitudes that views these drugs as harmful, speaks to the public health potential of psychedelic medicine."
"As existing treatments for intimate partner violence are insufficient, we need to take new perspectives such as this seriously," he added. Intimate partner violence is a huge public health problem in the country and the existing measures are not adequate to reduce the prevalence, according to him. "With proper dosage, set, and setting we might see even more profound effects. This definitely warrants further research," Prof. Walsh said.
Reaping benefits of psychedelic drugs
Co-author of the study, associate professor Peter Hendricks of the University of Alabama, feels that psilocybin and related compounds have the potential to revolutionize the mental health field.
While the world is trying to understand better why or how these psychedelic substances could be beneficial, Prof. Hendricks said that "they can transform people's lives by providing profoundly meaningful spiritual experiences that highlight what matters most." He further said, "Often, people are struck by the realization that behaving with compassion and kindness toward others is high on the list of what matters."
Trajectory of psychedelic drugs over years
The journey and usage of psychedelic drugs over the years had been somewhat haphazard. While it gained prominence with extensive research and usage in treating mental conditions from 1950 to the 1970s, its importance somewhat waned during the mid-70s when it was denigrated to a controlled substance. But recent years have seen a resurgence Buy Adventures of Fun Gus Psilocybin Mushroom Gummies psychedelic drugs with renewed interest of the people on such medicines.
"The experiences of unity, positivity, and transcendence that characterize the psychedelic experience may be particularly beneficial to groups that are frequently marginalized and isolated, such as the incarcerated men who participated in this study," said Prof. Walsh.
If using psychedelic drugs have reduced the propensity of incarcerated inmates to indulge in domestic violence, as revealed by this study, more studies should be conducted to probe other benefits of such medicines.
Those in support of psychedelic drugs say that drugs like psilocybin (aka magic mushrooms) actually calm rather than stimulate certain brain functions, while LSD can mitigate end-of-life anxiety. The drug MDMA (aka ecstasy, or Molly) is known to promote the release of oxytocin, a hormone which could help treat severe anxieties, like PTSD and social anxiety resulting from autism.