What does the new psychedelic revolution mean for creativity?
Psychedelic drugs have been a highly controversial topic among psychologists since the popularity of LSD in the 1960s. Before LSD became illegal, psychologists used it on college students in countless clinical studies in order to gain perspective on the effects psychedelics have on the human mind. Now, there has been somewhat of a psychedelic revolution due to the perceived benefits that certain psychedelics may have for psychiatric treatment and creativity.
In a summer where everyone is eager to get back outside, but also dealing with an abundance of mental health issues, psychedelic drugs could be the key to pushing creativity to its max. And more importantly, perhaps the psychedelic revolution will be forever known for helping people across the world.
Psychedelic drugs and their effects on people’s minds
A recent New York Times article discussed two psychedelic drugs gaining popularity in the field of psychiatry.
One of the drugs is MDMA, commonly known as ecstasy, or molly. Recent clinical studies from the science and health journal Nature Medicine suggest that responsible use of MDMA has shown great promise in the treatment of severe forms of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
According to the esteemed New England Journal of Medicine, psilocybin, most commonly known as “magic mushrooms,” has also shown remarkable promise in the treatment of depression.
After years of criminalization and negative stigma, psychologists everywhere are now turning to psychedelic research as a means of treating mental illnesses.
Over the past few years, millions have been raised in this field that had once been considered dead and buried. In as little as five years, MDMA and psilocybin may become FDA-approved treatments for various mental illnesses. As a result, investors are absolutely flocking towards these drugs.
How will these efforts impact creativity?
From influential authors like Ken Kesey to music icons like Hendrix and Lennon, creative legends have been experimenting with psychedelics for years.
Brilliant actors such as Jack Nicholson and Susan Sarandon have been forward about their use of psychedelics. Any modern hip-hop fan worth their salt is familiar with A$AP Rocky’s hit song “L$D.”
Even people like Steve Jobs, who aren’t considered artists, have used psychedelic drugs at one point.
Some artists say that psychedelic drugs help you open your mind to new possibilities. Others say they help you understand things you have known all along.
Whatever the case may be, one thing is for sure, there is a strong correlation between creativity and psychedelic use. So how exactly will legalization impact society’s most creative? It is hard to say for sure, But there are a few interesting possibilities about the psychedelic revolution.
What might the psychedelic revolution look like?
Psychedelic drugs may inspire some incredibly influential art. If psychedelics do have the creative influence that some artists claim, artists who indulge in psychedelics may also have more frequent access if they become FDA-approved. With more access, artists who choose to use psychedelics can unlock new ideas to then share with the world.
Many artists struggle with bipolar disorder and depression. Artists who struggle with mental health issues may greatly benefit from the use of appropriately prescribed psychedelics. Their mental health could improve greatly because of psychedelic use.
Artists from troubled backgrounds may also be able to cope with PTSD in a healthier way. Troubled, inner-city youth are a major source of modern art. It is well documented that these influential people are highly likely to have, or exhibit symptoms of PTSD.
Rapper G Herbo even released an album titled “PTSD,” where he details struggles he goes through as a result of the trauma he encountered growing up in South Chicago.
If artists that struggle with trauma had more legitimate ways to deal with issues, the world may thus lose fewer of them to addiction struggles.
The impacts and authorization of psychedelic drugs remains to be seen
Legalization and FDA authorization of psychedelics for the treatment of mental illness seems inevitable. Many people believe still that they are the future of psychological medicine.
Time will tell the impact psychedelic drugs will have on the public, and the impact they will our most influential people. However, this isn’t just an interesting opportunity for influential people.
This could be a great opportunity for anyone with mental illness. Psychedelics may lead to an increase in creativity on a grand scale. It will be interesting to see how psychedelics are stigmatized moving forward on the path to normalization.