Advocates Challenge DEA’s Proposal to Schedule Five Psychedelic Compounds
Researchers and advocates are challenging the DEA’s proposal to classify a series of psychedelic compounds under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
The Drug Enforcement Administration published a scheduling proposal in the Federal Register in January that highlights its plan to ban the following tryptamines: DiPT, 5-MeO-DET, 5-MeO-MiPT, 5-MeO-AMT and 4-OH-DiPT. The DEA wants to classify these tryptamines under the same category as drugs such as LSD, cannabis and heroin.
The agency stated that before it made the proposal, it conducted its own analyses as well as considered research and recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services, which found that these psychedelic compounds were being abused for their hallucinogenic properties.
In a notice released last month, the DEA stated that it had identified hospitalization cases associated with the use of two of the five tryptamines, citing one death where the 5-MeO-AMT compound was discovered in an individual’s system, in addition to an antidepressant and alcohol. The agency recognized that the role the compound played in the death was unclear.
Advocates have, in general, been critical of the agency’s scheduling decisions. The fact that a number of entheogenic substances as well as cannabis are still classified as Schedule I substances, despite having a low abuse potential and medical value, calls into question the agency’s judgment in these matters.
Thus far, 90 individuals have submitted official feedback to the agency. The public comment period will end on Feb. 14, 2022. One individual who identified himself as a military veteran stated that he believed that the compounds needed to be kept legal for research purposes. The veteran explained that reports of psychedelics in therapy had shown promise for addiction, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, noting that without study and research, these compounds couldn’t be used to help people suffering from some of these indications.
Another individual stated that actions such as this were misguided and negatively contributed to the war on drugs, noting that banning the substances would facilitate the entrance of more obscure chemicals that had even more dubious safety profiles. The person noted that the agency needed to think about the potential consequences of a decision like this.
These are just a few of the comments against the DEA’s proposed scheduling action.
Tactogen CEO Matt Baggott, who is also a neuroscientist, added his two cents’ to the matter, noting that the Department of Health and Human Services had provided the agency with its analysis 10 years ago, which raised the question of whether this proposed action was in response to the growing interest in psychedelic medicine.
If the DEA moves forward and puts those psychedelic compounds in Schedule I of the CSA, the work of entities such as Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) could become even harder because of the red tape that would be required before any study involving those substances can be undertaken.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Cybin Inc. (NEO: CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CYBN
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
Researchers and advocates are challenging the DEA’s proposal to classify a series of psychedelic compounds under Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act.
The Drug Enforcement Administration published a scheduling proposal in the Federal Register in January that highlights its plan to ban the following tryptamines: DiPT, 5-MeO-DET, 5-MeO-MiPT, 5-MeO-AMT and 4-OH-DiPT. The DEA wants to classify these tryptamines under the same category as drugs such as LSD, cannabis and heroin.
The agency stated that before it made the proposal, it conducted its own analyses as well as considered research and recommendations from the Department of Health and Human Services, which found that these psychedelic compounds were being abused for their hallucinogenic properties.
In a notice released last month, the DEA stated that it had identified hospitalization cases associated with the use of two of the five tryptamines, citing one death where the 5-MeO-AMT compound was discovered in an individual’s system, in addition to an antidepressant and alcohol. The agency recognized that the role the compound played in the death was unclear.
Advocates have, in general, been critical of the agency’s scheduling decisions. The fact that a number of entheogenic substances as well as cannabis are still classified as Schedule I substances, despite having a low abuse potential and medical value, calls into question the agency’s judgment in these matters.
Thus far, 90 individuals have submitted official feedback to the agency. The public comment period will end on Feb. 14, 2022. One individual who identified himself as a military veteran stated that he believed that the compounds needed to be kept legal for research purposes. The veteran explained that reports of psychedelics in therapy had shown promise for addiction, anxiety, depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, noting that without study and research, these compounds couldn’t be used to help people suffering from some of these indications.
Another individual stated that actions such as this were misguided and negatively contributed to the war on drugs, noting that banning the substances would facilitate the entrance of more obscure chemicals that had even more dubious safety profiles. The person noted that the agency needed to think about the potential consequences of a decision like this.
These are just a few of the comments against the DEA’s proposed scheduling action.
Tactogen CEO Matt Baggott, who is also a neuroscientist, added his two cents’ to the matter, noting that the Department of Health and Human Services had provided the agency with its analysis 10 years ago, which raised the question of whether this proposed action was in response to the growing interest in psychedelic medicine.
If the DEA moves forward and puts those psychedelic compounds in Schedule I of the CSA, the work of entities such as Cybin Inc. (NYSE American: CYBN) (NEO: CYBN) could become even harder because of the red tape that would be required before any study involving those substances can be undertaken.
NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to Cybin Inc. (NEO: CYBN) (NYSE American: CYBN) are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/CYBN
Please see full terms of use and disclaimers on the PsychedelicNewsWire website applicable to all content provided by PNW, wherever published or re-published: https://www.PsychedelicNewsWire.com/Disclaimer
