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What is Alternative Medicine?
Alternative medicine refers to a wide range of medical practices and treatments that are not typically part of conventional Western medicine. These include practices such as herbal remedies, acupuncture, homeopathy, and the use of psychoactive substances like cannabis and psychedelics for therapeutic purposes. Within a medical standpoint, the category of pharmaceuticals that is most monitored and faces the most barriers within alternative medicine includes a range of psychedelics and cannabis, being collectively put into Schedule I of the CSA in 1970. Therefore, MASFAM puts emphasize on these 2 crucial areas of public law in order to change their social image, especially among young adults.
Forms of Psychoactive Medicine:
*Psychoactive is an adjective to describe any drug or substance that "affects how the brain works and causes changes in mood, awareness, thoughts, feelings, or behavior." (NIH)
Cannabis/Marijuana
What is it?
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Scientific Function
Forms
Conditions Treated
Obtaining
Medication
Cannabis, commonly known as marijuana, is a psychoactive drug derived from the Cannabis plant. It contains a group of chemicals known as cannabinoids, with the most well-known being tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). THC is primarily responsible for the "high" that users experience, while other cannabinoids like cannabidiol (CBD) are known for their therapeutic effects without psychoactive outcomes.
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The effects of cannabis are mediated by cannabinoids interacting with the body's endocannabinoid system. This system plays a role in regulating a variety of physiological and cognitive processes, including pain sensation, mood, and memory. THC binds to cannabinoid receptors in the brain and other parts of the body, altering normal neurotransmitter function and resulting in the psychoactive effects.​
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Cannabis comes in various forms, or strains, which are generally categorized into three primary types:
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Indica: Known for its sedative effects, often used to help with sleep and relax muscles.
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Sativa: Typically more energizing, recommended for daytime use to boost creativity and focus.
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Hybrid: A combination of both Indica and Sativa characteristics, bred to achieve specific effects or treat particular medical conditions.
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Cannabis is used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including but not limited to:
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Chronic pain
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Nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy
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Multiple sclerosis
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Epileptic seizures
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Glaucoma
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Anxiety and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD)
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Appetite loss and anorexia associated with chronic illnesses such as HIV or nerve pain
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The process to obtain medical cannabis varies by state, with each state having its own set of regulations and approved list of medical conditions. In Georgia, for example, patients must qualify under specific medical conditions to be eligible for a Low THC Oil Registry Card. The steps generally involve doctor consultation, paid registration, and approval and card issuance allowing for the purchase of medical cannabis within the state.
Legalization map by the Rolling Stone Magazine.
Appearance of cannabis strains by "FireHaus" company.
Psychedelics
What is it?
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Scientific Function
Forms
Conditions Treated
Obtaining Medicine
Psychedelics are substances that induce alterations in perception, mood, and cognitive processes. These compounds, often derived from plants (mushrooms) or synthesized in laboratories, are studied for their therapeutic potentials. Overall, psychedelics are known as drugs that "changes a person's perception of reality" through hallucinations or seeing, hearing, and feeling things that are not real.
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Psychedelics primarily influence the serotonin system, particularly the 5-HT2A receptors in the brain, which affect various neural circuits related to mood, cognition, and perception. The interaction with these receptors can induce profound shifts in consciousness, often leading to significant psychological insights and emotional releases.​
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There are many types of psychedelics that include:
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Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms): Induces profound emotional insights and altered perceptions, often leading to significant personal revelations.
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LSD (Lysergic Acid Diethylamide): Triggers enhanced sensory perception and emotional responsiveness, along with vivid visual hallucinations.
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MDMA (Ecstasy): Increases feelings of empathy and emotional connectivity, often accompanied by heightened sensory perception.
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DMT (N, N-Dimethyltryptamine): Known for causing rapid, intense visual and auditory hallucinations and a distorted sense of time and self.
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Ibogaine: Initiates a profound introspective experience that can include visual phenomena and deep psychological introspection.
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Psychedelics are experimentally being used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including but not limited to:
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Depression: Both psilocybin and LSD are being researched for their ability to reduce symptoms of depression, particularly in treatment-resistant cases.
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PTSD: MDMA has shown promise in clinical trials for treating post-traumatic stress disorder by helping patients process trauma.
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Anxiety: Psilocybin and LSD have been explored for their potential to alleviate anxiety, especially anxiety related to life-threatening illnesses.
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Addiction: Ibogaine has been used in the treatment of addiction to substances such as opioids and alcohol, helping reduce withdrawal symptoms and cravings.
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Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD): Psilocybin has also been studied for its effectiveness in treating OCD symptoms, offering potential relief through altered thought patterns.
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Due to the CSA and a not as signficant push for legalization and recreational use, psychdelics have not been widely legalized nor decriminalized on a state-by-state basis. However, some states and local governments have imitated limited research programs or decriminalized certain psychedelics, allowing for clinical trials and therapeutic use under strict regulations. Georgia is not one of these states. On a federal level, MDMA and psilocybin specifically have been granted "breakthrough therapy" status from the FDA allowing for expedited development and review.​
Simply...
Psychedelics cause profound alterations in perception and consciousness.
Cannabis causes more moderate changes in mood and physical sensations.
The Main Enemy:
The Controlled Substance Act
The Controlled Substances Act (CSA) stands as a significant barrier to the progress and acceptance of alternative medicines, particularly cannabis and psychedelics. The CSA created a class system in which drugs were organized to show acceptable medical use as well as the potential for addiction and abuse. Enacted in 1970, the CSA classifies these substances in Schedule I, the most restrictive class out of five, placing them in the same category as heroin and meth, substances considered to have “a high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use.” This classification has not only criminalized their use but has also severely restricted scientific research, hindering our understanding of their potential therapeutic benefits. In reality, cannabis and certain psychedelics should be reclassified as Schedule III substances, which would acknowledge their lower potential for abuse and recognized medical uses, while still making sure they cannot be accessed over-the-counter.
Our Resources
At MASFAM, we rely on a foundation of credible and well-respected resources to guide our initiatives and advocacy efforts. We strive to stay transparent with the resources we utilize in the promoting the responsible use and research of psychoactive medications and alternative medicine. We encourage visitors to our site to explore these valuable tools and information sources.
