The Unexpected Turn in Psychedelic Policy
Trump is a polarising individual, we can all agree on this much. Love him or hate him, none of us have to worry about having breakfast with him on a daily basis.
The question is does he deliver on his word and does he have the ability to execute accordingly?
Based on his previous term, there’s a clear pattern of pushing through regulatory changes.
Not to mention that the individuals he’s recruited as part of his team are previously people with whom he’s disagreed or have outright disliked him.
Now they have united forces and are poised to make unprecedented changes. Case in point; the future of psychedelic medicine.
RFK Jr.’s Strong Endorsement of Plant Medicine
Let’s start with RFK Jr., a core member of Trump’s healthcare team, who became an enthusiastic advocate of the use of psychedelics for therapeutic use after his son’s experience with ayahuasca.
He wasted no time in calling out the FDA’s “aggressive suppression of psychedelics” and is already shaking things up.
His exact words?
“FDA’s war on public health is about to end.”
New Voices in the Psychedelic Conversation
It’s the understatement of the decade to say that a lot has happened politically recently. Up to and including J.D. Vance’s recent chat with Joe Rogan about MDMA therapy for veterans.
Instead of the usual political dance around controversial topics, Vance leaned in with refreshing and sincere interest. He asked Joe: “Why aren’t we doing that?” cutting right through to the heart of the matter. If something helps veterans heal, we should at least look into it in order to make informed decisions.
Silicon Valley’s Investment in Psychedelic Research
The venture capital world is getting involved too. Peter Thiel, who backed Trump’s first presidential bid and mentored J.D. Vance, has invested millions in psychedelic research through companies like Atai Life Sciences.
This isn’t just about policy – there are serious CEOs and founders money backing psychedelic medicine now.
Congressional Support for Psychedelic Therapy
Speaking of veterans, there’s already strong support in Congress for fast-tracking MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD. Representatives Bergman, Luttrell, and Crenshaw are pushing for it.
These aren’t fringe players – they’re respected voices advocating for real change.
Remember, Trump has a track record here – during his first term, he fast-tracked Johnson & Johnson’s esketamine (Spravato) for veterans. I am confident and enthusiastic to see what the future holds!
What This Means for Our Community
What really excites me about all this is how it could affect our community.
Think about it: we might see faster research approval, more acceptance of therapeutic use, and maybe even a complete rethink of how psychedelic medicines are regulated.
The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) is optimistic too, particularly about support for research through the VA and National Institutes of Health.
Navigating Recent Setbacks
Sure, we’ve had some setbacks recently, such as the FDA’s rejection of Lykos Therapeutics’ MDMA therapy. Also, Massachusetts voters recently said no to legalising certain plant-based psychedelics. But with this new administration, the sky is the limit.
https://medcitynews.com/2024/11/trump-healthcare-pharma-prescription-drugs/
Looking Ahead: A Transformative Period
Suffice it to say that the future of psychedelic medicine is poised for major changes, and in the near future. But here’s the thing – In a recent Politico interview Michael Pollan is quoted as saying;
“The fact that someone this high up in this administration is supportive of psychedelic-assisted therapy is encouraging in one way,” Pollan notes, “but psychedelics should be approved because the science is good, not because they have a fan in the White House.”
He’s got a good point.
While having supporters in high places could speed things up, we can’t let politics rush the science. The research community is doing incredible work, methodically building evidence through careful studies. Organisations like MAPS are reminding us to let the research speak for itself rather than rushing to quick solutions.
Could we see faster progress in the coming years?
Absolutely, most especially for veteran care. But the real win will be maintaining scientific integrity while expanding access to these potentially life-changing therapies. It’s about finding that sweet spot between speed and safety, between enthusiasm and evidence.
Personally, I’m excited to see where this goes, and you can rest assured that I’m committed to keeping you informed as this story unfolds.
As always,
Shine bright. Do good. Flow strong.
Asha ✨
4 Comments. Leave new
As a loyal customer and someone who strongly supports the responsible exploration of psychedelics, I’ve appreciated the work you’ve done in advocating for personal agency and wellness through science-backed approaches. However, I was deeply disheartened by the recent email celebrating Trump’s potential impact on the psychedelic space, as well as the suggestion that RFK Jr. could play a key role in shaping healthcare policy.
While I support the development of psychedelic medicine, aligning it with figures who have promoted harmful and pseudoscientific ideas is deeply troubling to me. RFK Jr.’s history of spreading vaccine misinformation and other unscientific claims runs counter to the values of evidence-based progress I associate with your brand.
Additionally, presenting Trump’s re-election as a positive development, regardless of political perspective, feels dismissive of the harm many of his policies have caused to marginalized communities and to public trust in science. Associating your brand with this messaging is alienating for customers like me who view such policies as antithetical to progress and wellness.
I value the products you offer and your commitment to advancing psychedelic medicine, but this post makes me question whether I can continue to support Microdose Pro. I urge you to reconsider the tone and political messaging in your communications, focusing instead on evidence-based advancements and inclusivity that resonate with a broader audience.
Hi Daniel,
Thank you for your thoughtful feedback and for supporting our work in advancing psychedelic medicine. My intent for the article was to explore how current political developments could impact this field, not necessarily to endorse any individual or administration as a whole. One of the points I intended to make is that psychedelic medicine transcends political boundaries, and change often comes in unexpected ways.
I understand your concerns about aligning with figures who have controversial histories, and I share your commitment to evidence-based progress.
Ultimately, it’s the science that should lead this movement, not politics. Your perspective is valued and will keep it in mind as we continue discussing these important topics.
Lastly, I appreciate your feedback on the tone of our messaging. Your passion for this field and your thoughtful critique contribute to the ongoing dialogue that helps us all grow.
Thank you again for taking the time to share your thoughts and for your support of microdose-pro. I hope we can continue debating and ultimately working toward a shared vision of making these compounds widely available for everyone.
Asha ✨
It would also help if Trump could take some psychedelics and turn him into a less angry, egotistical inflexible maniac
haha, who knows?! maybe he will