Psychedelics for Use and Wellbeing Cultural Context and Recent Developments: A Jamaican Perspective

Psilocybin, the active compound in psychedelic mushrooms, is gaining renewed attention in psychiatry as a treatment for mental health, building on a history of indigenous healing practices. Although formally identified in 1956, archaeological evidence suggests psilocybin use dates back to at least 6,000 BCE, with depictions in Spanish cave art and documented use among Pre-Columbian, ancient Egyptian, and Greco-Roman cultures for sacred rituals and resolving complex themes. This traditional use fits within Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), offering non-invasive, pleasant therapies that accompany conventional medicine.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Proclaimed as the "new frontier" in psychiatry, the use of Psychedelics, including Psilocybin as a treatment for mental health and wellbeing has gained momentum over the last few years [1,2].The scientific progress and clinical promise of this movement owes much of its success to the history of indigenous healing practices.Though "discovered" in 1956 by Roger Heim [3], the history of Psilocybin use extends to as far back as 6,000 BCE with depictions of Psilocybin containing mushrooms in the Selva Pascuala Mural in Spain [4].There have been documented use among indigenous peoples from Pre-Columbian Americas, ancient Egypt, and Greco-Roman ceremonies for sacred rituals, and as a way of "communing with the gods" and resolving complex themes [5][6][7].This kind of use falls within the realm of Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM).This approach seeks therapies which accompany traditional medicine to contribute to and diversify current frameworks, and is also seen as pleasant and non-invasive, in contrast to conventional medical practices and the use of manufactured pharmaceutical products [8].