In recent years, there has been a growing push for the deregulation of research on drugs such as marijuana and psychedelics. Many officials, including Vice President Kamala Harris, have been advocating for increased access to these substances. However, one physician disagrees with this approach and believes that caution should be exercised instead.
The physician begins by discussing the dangers of marijuana use. A recent study published in the Journal of the American Heart Association found a significant increase in stroke and heart attacks associated with regular marijuana use. Previous studies have also shown that marijuana can be toxic to both the lungs and the heart, and its psychoactive chemical, THC, can cause an increase in heart rate and blood pressure. The problem is further exacerbated by the fact that today’s marijuana products have a much higher THC content, leading to more anxiety, cognitive problems, and developmental delays in children exposed to it during pregnancy.
Another concern raised by the physician is the increase in emergency room visits due to vomiting disorders, overdoses, and car accidents related to marijuana use. This is particularly problematic when cannabis products are laced with dangerous substances such as fentanyl or amphetamines or when combined with alcohol. Despite claims that legalization for recreational use would decrease illicit use, the opposite has been observed as shadow markets emerge behind legal dispensaries. Additionally, the physician criticizes the misuse of medical marijuana for unproven purposes like countering insomnia.
The physician’s concerns extend beyond marijuana to psychedelic substances such as magic mushrooms, ketamine, ayahuasca, and iboga. While some researchers are exploring the therapeutic potential of these substances, there are significant risks involved. For example, ibogaine, derived from the African iboga plant, can lead to prolonged nightmarish experiences and increase the risk of heart arrhythmias. Despite being illegal across the United States and categorized as a Schedule I controlled substance with no medical use, it is still being touted for use in treating post-traumatic stress disorder and opioid withdrawal.
The physician emphasizes the need for caution and more scientific evidence before embracing these substances. While researchers are searching for alternatives with similar effects but without the dangerous hallucinatory results, such options have not yet been developed. The popular practice of “microdosing” therapeutics, which has gained attention among celebrities and their followers, has not been medically studied or proven to have any therapeutic benefit.
The physician warns against using the research conducted by physicians and scientists as an excuse for reckless recreational use of these drugs. In the pursuit of votes or supporting a growing industry, politicians may misrepresent the risks and dangers of hallucinatory chemicals, obscuring the science behind them.
In conclusion, while there is a growing trend towards deregulating research on drugs like marijuana and psychedelics, one physician argues for caution rather than increased access. The physician highlights the inherent dangers associated with these substances, such as increased risks of stroke, heart attacks, mental health issues, developmental delays, and emergency room visits. They emphasize the need for more scientific evidence before embracing these substances for recreational or medical use and caution against misrepresenting the research conducted by physicians and scientists.
