Using drugs to treat mental illness

Most Michigan residents have heard of psychedelic drugs, which are drugs designed to produce a mind-altering experience. Examples of psychedelic drugs include acid, ecstasy, ketamine and LSD.

A recent article explores the potential benefits of psychedelic drugs such as these for treating conditions such as ADHD, anxiety, depression and PTSD. Evidence shows that these drugs can actually physically change your brain, a concept known as neuroplasticity.

What is neuroplasticity?

What this means is that when we are born, our brains become physically wired a certain way based on factors including our environment and caregiving. However, as the term suggests, our brains are elastic, and can be re-wired.

These types of drugs re-wire your brain by doing more than numbing you from the symptoms of your condition. They delve into the root of the symptom, many times allowing your brain to let go of a pattern of fear and allow you to treat your conditions.

A psychiatric evaluation should be done

You should have a full psychiatric evaluation done by a licensed professional before even considering this type of treatment. A professional may recommend the treatment, depending on the results of the evaluation, although the treatment is typically quite costly.

These are even discussions about how treating mental illness with psychedelics could help with the opioid crisis. There have been some reported data showing that the treatments can reduce opioid withdrawal symptoms.

Michigan has not legalized these drugs

While all this is promising news, drugs such as these remain illegal in Michigan. The penalties for drug possession are high.

You could face a fine of up to $25,000 and 4 years in prison for a drug possession conviction even if you possessed less than 25 grams of a drug. This is also a felony charge, and a felony conviction on your record can deprive you of many future opportunities.

The stakes are too high to not put up the strongest defense possible. If you are facing a drug charge, talking to a criminal defense attorney can make a significant difference in the outcome of your case.