NBC News: Effects of psychedelic drugs can last for days or weeks, research finds

An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot accused of trying to bring down a plane midflight said he had consumed “magic mushrooms” before boarding, bringing the use of psychedelic drugs as a treatment for mental illness into national headlines.

Psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin found in magic mushrooms and MDMA are gaining increasing attention in scientific and medical circles because of the potential they hold for treating anxiety disorders and emotional trauma. Experts say the effects of psychedelics can last for days, weeks or longer after the substance is no longer detectable in the body.

The University of Cincinnati's Christopher Tuell, assistant professor of psychiatry and behavioral neuroscience in UC's College of Medicine and clinical director of addiction services at UC Health's Lindner Center of HOPE, spoke with NBC News about the use of psychedelics as mental health treatment.

Tuell said the brain develops habits that are key to survival, but sometimes the wiring results in unhealthy connections becoming strengthened, leading to issues including depression or anxiety. It’s like a car wheel stuck in a rut in the road, unable to pull out, Tuell said.

Psychedelics can help get the brain "unstuck" from this cycle of negative thoughts, moods and behaviors when used in the right context, experts say.

Read the NBC News article.

Read more about psychedelics research.

Featured photo at top of mushrooms. Photo/Christopher Ott/Unsplash.