Psychedelics vs. Cannabis: Which is Better for Mental Health?

By Sechat Editorial Team with information from El Planteo

In the quest to heal the global mental health epidemic, society has been exploring prohibited and taboo substances like cannabis and psychedelic medicine. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted deficiencies in our mental health treatment, but the search for better therapies began before the virus emerged.

Currently, psychedelic medicine is seen as a potential solution for a wide range of mental health issues, much like medicinal cannabis once showed promise. To understand the potential of both approaches, it is essential to examine the similarities and differences between psychedelics and cannabis concerning mental health.

The journey of medicinal cannabis paved the way for psychedelic research, overcoming similar obstacles of prohibition and taboo. The cultural shift towards cannabis has also paved the way for psychedelic research, such as psilocybin found in magic mushrooms.

Although cannabis is often touted as a "cure-all," clinical evidence is scarce, and in some cases, it is suggested that it may worsen depressive symptoms. The complexity of the plant and its variety of compounds make it challenging to determine its therapeutic use.

Compared to cannabis, psychedelics demonstrate clinical efficacy in addressing severe mental illnesses such as treatment-resistant depression, addiction, and end-of-life anxiety. Additionally, a single psychedelic experience can induce lasting positive changes.

Professionally guided psychedelic therapy is on the rise, offering a psychotherapeutic component absent in personal cannabis use. Neuroscientific research supports the superiority of psychedelics over other therapies, providing problem resolution instead of emotional suppression.

While both approaches have potential, psychedelics stand out in addressing deep mental health issues. However, they can also be challenging and require proper preparation. Combining both approaches may play an interesting role in the future.

You may also like: Task force for the regulation of medicinal cannabis in the São Paulo SUS demands speed from the state government

The Task Force (TF) formed by the State Department of Health, responsible for the regulation of State Law 17,618/23 that incorporates medicinal cannabis into the São Paulo SUS, is expressing growing concern over the delay in the publication of the long-awaited regulation, which should have been finalized by May 1, 2023.

In an effort to push for the immediate release of this regulation, 14 members of the committee have joined forces to issue a public statement.

This joint declaration includes signatures from representatives of OAB-SP, Unicamp, State Anesthesiology Medical Society, Brazilian Society of Internal Medicine, Pediatric Society, Regional Pharmacy Council, cannabis associations, as well as State Deputy Caio França himself, representing Alesp, among others.

Although the public health policy, despite being innovative in the network, does not pose major challenges to the State Department of Health, which already has experience in dispensing high-complexity and cost medications, the delay in the publication of this regulation is a cause of growing concern for França, an active member of the group.