The Psychedelic Science 2023 conference in Denver brought together notable figures like NFL quarterback Aaron Rodgers, rapper Jaden Smith, and former Texas governor Rick Perry. This event reflects a shift in societal thinking about psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, LSD, ayahuasca, and MDMA. Recent breakthroughs in science and the legalization of psilocybin in Colorado and Oregon indicate that Americans are moving away from stigmatizing psychedelics and recognizing their potential benefits for addiction, depression, and PTSD treatment. However, categorizing psychedelics remains a challenge, as they can be seen as recreational drugs, medicines, or religious sacraments. The history of categorizing drugs reveals the difficulty of labeling substances that defy classification. Despite attempts to ban psychedelics, their ambiguous nature and potential scientific value have allowed them to persist. It is now necessary to reconsider the existing categories and find a more accurate and beneficial classification for these substances.
| Signal | Change | 10y horizon | Driving force |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cultural, legal, and medical role of psychedelics is changing | Shift in perception and understanding | Increased acceptance and recognition of benefits | Scientific research and societal attitude change |
| Need for a new category for psychedelics | Re-categorization | Clearer classification and understanding | Ambiguity and historical categorization |
| Psychedelics historically defy categorization | Historical context | Recognition of their unique properties | Ambiguity and lack of understanding |
| Psychedelics being lumped with illicit drugs | Misclassification | Misdirected resources and harm to regulation | Limited understanding and existing drug laws |
| Existing categories for psychedelics are inadequate | Inadequate categorization | Improved understanding and regulation | Misclassification and lack of scientific evidence |
| Psychedelics have varied uses and cannot be contained by a single category | Varied uses and applications | Expanded understanding and acceptance | Diverse cultural and medical practices |
| Psychedelics have a long history outside the concept of “drugs” | Historical context | Expanded ways of thinking about psychedelics | Cultural and historical significance |