Thread by @chiaracap

Cover Story #PowerTrip was extremely difficult to listen to. I hope it can create the momentum for a more careful and nuanced investigation of psychedelics' potential for therapeutic benefit as well as for harm. Below are my two cents. (1)

open.spotify.com/show/7dj2XnCMx…

Psychedelic research doesn't need demonization or hype. It needs to take a deep uncomfortable look at these stories, and have discussions about what went wrong. The substance itself? The dosage? The individual therapists? "Bad ideas" about the role of psychedelic therapists? (2)

Only then we can look at proposed mechanisms for therapeutic benefits and evaluate whether we can have those without harming vulnerable populations. Can we rethink psychedelic-assisted therapy in a way that "takes the power away from the therapist, back to the patient"? (3)

Finding the answers to this questions will likely take a lot of time, and I hope psychedelic researchers can take this time to make sure that if psychedelic-assisted therapy ever gets approved, it is in its safest possible version. Overzealousness can create so much harm. (4)

This podcast challenged my naive enthusiasm and gave me a lot to think about. These are just some obvious and simplified considerations. Please reach out if you want to discuss - it's been on my mind a lot recently and would love a more in-depth talk about it.

And thank you @LilyKayRoss and @D__Nickles for an extremely well-researched and nuanced work. My enthusiasm got severely dampened, which I think is a good thing.