How the Risk of Drugs is Determined
The Food and Drug Administration is a governmental body in charge of safeguarding public health in the US. The range of its functions is very broad – from regulating the amount of radiation the microwave oven can emit to ensuring the cosmetics labels are legible, and from determining the allowed food colorants to drafting marketing guidelines for cigarettes.
When it comes to drugs the FDA is working alongside the DEA to determine the usefulness to danger profile of the drug that carries some potential for abuse. To determine where on this spectrum a given substance stands a specific process called the Eight Factor Analysis (8FA) is followed. It considers the factors like abuse potential, scientific evidence, public health risk, and dependence liability.
Based on this drug is given a grade from 1 being very likely to cause addictions and not be medically useful to 5 of carrying little to no risk to health and having recognized medicinal applications. Not all countries are in sync about this and different systems of risk/benefit/acceptance are in place world-wide.
The stance on psychedelics though are nearly unanimously …Is it a cough syrup that anyone can pick off the shelve or heroin that is, to say the least, a very problematic substance (albeit countries like Canada or Germany still recognize its medicinal potential)? The war on drugs has put LSD, psilocybin, ibogaine, MDMA, mescalin and DMT on the Schedule 1 – drugs with high potential for abuse and no accepted medical use. Substances like cocaine and fentanyl, on the other hand are Schedule 2 which means they are recognized as less harmful and can be prescribed by the doctor…. Clearly if the established process of harms establishment was followed and well operational psychedelics which not only don’t get people addicted and instead may even help to fight addictions.
Aside from the supposed-to-be-on-point 8FA other ways of assessing drug harms were proposed.
For those interested in learning more about psychedelics and their various aspects and limitations, we recommend reading Psychedelics A to Z: An Illustrated Journey Through the Captivating World of Psychedelics.
Psychedelics A to Z: An Illustrated Journey by Neuroscientist Dr. Olga Chernoloz invites you to explore the vibrant spectrum of mind-altering substances, their ancient cultural roots, groundbreaking therapeutic potential, and the profound mysteries they unlock. From Ayahuasca’s ancestral wisdom to Silicon Valley igniting the microdosing boom, this book dives deep into the science, history, and culture of psychedelia.
Richly illustrated and brimming with insight, this alphabetic guide will ignite your curiosity, challenge your perceptions, and inspire you to see the world in new dimensions. Whether you’re a seasoned psychonaut or a curious reader totally new to the subject, this book offers a balanced perspective on how these tools can be used for healing, creativity, and spiritual growth. Discover the letters of the psychedelic language—and write your own story.
Get your copy on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DR35KFS8/.
