Hallucinogens can be used to treat poor mental health, but for Christians it’s not that simple

Addiction specialist Lauren Windle gives a Christian perspective on using hallucinogenic drugs as treatment for depression.

I remember the first time I came across the idea of hallucinogenic drugs as a treatment for depression. My initial reaction was that it was some new-age ridiculousness to be dismissed. But it quickly became apparent that celebrated researchers and drug experts saw and had seen merit in the practice.

When I did a Master’s in addiction studies at the leading addiction research centre in the UK at King’s College, they spoke readily about a trial that had seen excellent results. A controlled amount of a hallucinogenic drug was administered by a professional to a series of participants. During their “trip” they stayed in the facility, which had been designed with draped material and cosy cushions, so it looked more like a meditation room than a clinic. They were observed during their time and then sent home several hours later when the effects of the drug had worn off. It’s a far tamer version of a celebrity ayahuasca retreat in the Peruvian jungle.