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The Bridge: Times are changing, both online and off. Nowhere is this more true than in the semi-illicit and ever-changing world of: Drugs.
More than half of US states have decriminalized marijuana. A handful of states have passed (or are in the process of passing) legislation to allow ownership and use of magic mushrooms, ibogaine, and other notable psychedelic plants. Some healthcare providers are advocating for MDMA (otherwise known as ecstasy) and ketamine (an animal tranquilizer) in the treatment of post traumatic stress patients.
It’s not clear just what percentage of Gen Z and Millennial partakes in recreational drug use. Statistics vary, and can be unreliable. And there are plenty of examples of formerly taboo drugs being used in a therapeutic context, which might expand as time goes by. With the ongoing swing of the pendulum, we are undoubtedly witnessing a monumental shift in attitudes, safety, and legality.
…and some of the ways may surprise you.
Drugs are bad, mmkay? 💊
The marijuana of yesterday might as well be from a different planet compared to what’s sold in dispensaries today. Higher THC contents, concentrated products like wax and shatter, and insanely potent edibles line the shelves, displayed like candies in a store. Smiling, knowledgeable staff can recommend brands like a barista offering a good cup of coffee.
But the reality is that since the proliferation of pot sales and grow operations, the strains have gotten more powerful.
Science has been slow to catch up to societal effects. There’s been a marked increase in hospital admissions due to marijuana induced psychosis in the past twenty years. Some physicians see one or two cases per shift, while the condition was practically unheard of in the 90s.
The weed is so potent now, in fact, that it can trigger permanent schizophrenia and bipolar disorder in chronic users. Worth keeping an eye on, especially as it becomes more and more accepted.
Far Out, Man ☮️
On the positive side, there is some pretty compelling research emerging that’s being put to use in patients with anxiety, depression, and PTSD. We’re talking, of course, about psychedelics.
It’s fledgling now, but the use of ketamine, ecstasy, and magic mushrooms is on the rise in clinical settings. It’s offering a previously unheard of solution to patients suffering from debilitating social conditions – and it appears the practice is being studied very closely (for obvious reasons). Could it be the dawning…of the Age of Aquarius? 🧜♂️
