Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (RFK Jr.), an independent candidate for the 2024 US presidential election, has attracted attention for his policy proposals that go beyond the existing political framework, especially his position on the medical use of psychedelics.
“We need to provide people suffering from trauma and PTSD with treatments that actually work, not traditional drugs,” said RFK Jr. One treatment he recommends is psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms).
"From the aftereffects of war to everyday trauma" - The current state of PTSD and barriers to treatment
PTSD is a mental illness commonly seen in war veterans, victims of sexual assault, and people who have experienced serious accidents, and causes anxiety, flashbacks, depression, etc. In the United States, about 13% of veterans suffer from PTSD, and medical institutions treat them with antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs.
However, these conventional drugs do not provide a fundamental treatment and have a high risk of addiction and side effects. RFK Jr. points out that this situation is the result of the pharmaceutical industry prioritizing profits, and argues that “what patients really need is a treatment that can reset their brains and minds and help them overcome trauma.”
The potential of psychedelics: psilocybin "reboots" the brain
In recent years, research into psychedelics, including psilocybin, has progressed, showing the potential for dramatic benefits in treating PTSD and depression.
In 2020, a research team from Johns Hopkins University in the United States announced that treatment with psilocybin improved symptoms for a longer period of time than conventional antidepressants, with the study reporting cases in which just one or two doses of psilocybin produced results that would take years with conventional medication.
In addition, in 2021, the FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration) designated psilocybin as a breakthrough therapy. This is a special designation given to drugs that are expected to have better effects than existing treatments, and indicates that the approval process may be accelerated in the future.
RFK Jr.'s argument: "We should lift the ban on medical treatments that heal people's hearts"
While promoting the legalization of marijuana, RFK Jr. is also strongly interested in the medical use of psychedelics. The core of his argument is that drug policy should be based on science and not influenced by politics or the interests of Big Pharma.
“We simply give war veterans and people who have suffered deep trauma a sedative, but what they really need is therapy to heal their wounds and help them move forward in life,” he said.
Conflict with the existing pharmaceutical industry
RFK Jr.’s claims pose a threat to Big Pharma, because the widespread use of natural treatments like psilocybin could shrink the market for antidepressants and anti-anxiety drugs that make the pharmaceutical industry billions of dollars in profits.
Indeed, as research into psychedelics has progressed, so has resistance from pharmaceutical companies and regulatory agencies. RFK Jr. has harshly criticized the government’s approach to regulation, saying that “Big Pharma is trying to crush scientifically proven treatments.”
Widening social acceptance
Psychedelics were once considered “dangerous drugs,” but in recent years, scientific evidence has accumulated and society’s perception of their medical use is undergoing a major change.
- 2020: Oregon becomes the first state in the nation to legalize psilocybin for therapeutic use.
- 2022: Colorado passes a similar bill
- 2023: Legalization efforts underway in California, New York and other states
In response to this trend, RFK Jr. has argued that “at the federal level, psychedelics should be allowed for medical use rather than be heavily regulated.”
To regain "freedom of mind"
Unlike traditional politicians, RFK Jr. has a libertarian ideology that “the government should not restrict individual freedom.” For him, legalizing psychedelics is not just a matter of drug policy, but is based on the idea of ”restoring the freedom for people to face their own minds and find healing.”
“Instead of allowing people to continue to suffer, we must challenge the system to provide real, science-based treatment,” these words of RFK Jr. could be the catalyst for a fundamental change in American drug policy.
How far will his message spread through the 2024 presidential election?Attention is focused on the future of psychedelics and whether it will open new doors to help people suffering from trauma.