To paraphrase one of the people in the video LSD is like a catalyst: it depends on who you are and where you are.
Against all the benefits that these drugs offer they can also create mental illness. These drugs definitely need some control as they have just enough power to ruin as to enlighten. It would be good to advocate personal choice but widespread use can cause problems with society.
I'm sorry but this is a a claim frequently made without context. Some evidence would be refreshing, along with some known causation, neurochemical or otherwise.
An anecdotal example, a friend of mine developed severe depression brought on by something inhibiting serotonin production/reception. Since LSD can vastly increase serotonin temporarily he suspected frequent LSD use could have something to do with it. This is one case out of hundreds of cases I know with no negative consequences. Going by my personal experience psychedelics are less dangerous than alcohol.
But personal experience is inadequate to explain the effects of these substances.
There have been hundreds of documented cases tryptamines causing psychosis and HPPD. If you want evidence just go to Erowid. Or read the book Darkness Shining Wild. Even at the MAPS conference last week there was a talk by a guy who developed severe psychosis after doing LSD. He thought he was the reincarnated Jesus and stayed awake for four days straight writing a new holy book, and then camped outside a bookstore for a couple months passing out copies to everyone who walked by. And then when he finally realized what he was doing a couple months later he tried to kill himself. The talk should be online in 6 weeks or so.
edit: Check out this YouTube video about a guy developing psychosis--
The video itself outlines that for research LSD needs to be treated like a drug:
Karl Janson... warns of the dangers of unsupervised use
I think one important lesson is psychodelics are by-and-large catalysts. What happens very much depends on who uses it, under what circumstances and for what purpose.
I'm not against the taking of LSD, I've taken it myself. I am against it being treated like candy, with no respect. It certainly cannot be substituted for alcohol.
I would not want anyone reading to just go out and take it. Have a clear plan and a good support network around them: or don't take it.
You can't prove something doesn't make you mad by looking at brain chemistry.
To represent LSD as risk free way to expand your mind just is not right. If you are going to take LSD be sure of your environment or who you are around. It isn't just whether you have certain mental state beforehand as you mental state is highly suggestive while tripping. Even recreational users in the 60's recognise that a bummer is possible. It can be worse than just having a bad trip. I've seen paranoia and other unwanted effects.
It's a double edged sword, so you are much better to control your environment as much as possible. Steering clear of negativity.
Against all the benefits that these drugs offer they can also create mental illness. These drugs definitely need some control as they have just enough power to ruin as to enlighten. It would be good to advocate personal choice but widespread use can cause problems with society.