Effects of Schedule I drug laws on neuroscience research and treatment innovation.
David Nutt, Leslie A. King, David E Nichols
Nature reviews. Neuroscience June 12, 2013 DOI: 10.1038/nrn3530 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Commentary Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Animals Humans Psychotropic drugs Neurosciences Biomedical research Legislation, drug Illicit drugs |
| Key points | Argues that strict legal controls on cannabis, MDMA, and psychedelics, while prompted by recreational use and perceived dangers, have made research into these drugs' mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic uses, including for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, difficult and in many cases almost impossible. |
Abstract
Many psychoactive drugs are used recreationally, particularly by young people. This use and its perceived dangers have led to many different classes of drugs being banned under national laws and international conventions. Indeed, the possession of cannabis, 3,4-methylenedioxy-N-methylamphetamine (MDMA; also known as ecstasy) and psychedelics is stringently regulated. An important and unfortunate outcome of the controls placed on these and other psychoactive drugs is that they make research into their mechanisms of action and potential therapeutic uses - for example, in depression and post-traumatic stress disorder - difficult and in many cases almost impossible.
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