A Ban on Psychedelics Could Hinder Crucial Research Efforts

The recent push by the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to classify 2,5-dimethoxy-4-iodoamphetamine (DOI) as a Schedule I substance has raised significant concern within the academic and scientific communities. DOI, a synthetic psychedelic, has been a pivotal research chemical utilized in over 900 studies, notably for its relevance in understanding serotonin receptors and its promising effects in psychiatric research. Students for Sensible Drug Policy (SSDP), which previously thwarted a similar DEA attempt to ban DOI in 2022, is mobilizing efforts to prevent the DEA’s current move, emphasizing that such a classification would create undue hurdles for researchers. A 10-day hearing has been scheduled for November 12 to discuss the proposed ban, in which SSDP filed a prehearing statement on behalf of more than 20 scientists, denouncing the DEA’s actions as obstructive to scientific inquiry.

SSDP strongly asserts that both DOI and another psychedelic, 2,5-dimethoxy-4-chloroamphetamine (DOC), play crucial roles in pre-clinical psychiatry and neurobiology. According to SSDP, unscheduled status has permitted researchers to utilize these compounds effectively, aiding in the exploration of serotonin receptors related to therapeutic effects of psychedelics. Particularly, DOI has been highlighted as instrumental in neuroscience research due to its selectivity for the 5-HT2A serotonin receptor, critical to understanding learning, memory, and psychiatric disorders. Studies involving DOI suggest positive outcomes in managing pain and reducing opioid cravings, reinforcing the need for continued research in this area.

Contrarily, the DEA emphasizes the potential for abuse of DOI and DOC, citing concerns over their availability, albeit acknowledging that there is no evidence of diversion from legitimate synthetic sources. The DEA has pointed to instances where these substances were found in law enforcement encounters, suggesting their potential for misuse. Notably, while the DEA suggests that the lack of FDA-approved drug products for DOI and DOC indicates recreational use outside of medical oversight, SSDP counters that no significant recreational abuse or harm has been documented in medical literature. The recognized biochemist Alexander Shulgin initially synthesized and characterized these substances, but anecdotal evidence does not support widespread misuse.

The DEA’s rationale for the classification of DOI and DOC as Schedule I drugs parallels its approach to other hallucinogenic substances like DOM, DMT, and LSD, which the agency argues also carry health risks. The agency notes that physiological and subjective effects experienced with DOI and DOC align with those of traditional hallucinogens. Although they categorize hallucinogenic effects and sensory distortions as risks, the DEA’s perspective is viewed as reflective of a broader skepticism towards psychedelics, neglecting their research potential and therapeutic applications.

Moreover, proponents such as legal counsel Brett Phelps and attorney Robert Rush emphasize that the government’s focus on potential risks fails to distinguish between legitimate use and abuse. The data presented by the DEA, including reports of adverse reactions associated mostly with DOC, appears disproportionate when compared to the vast number of drug reports logged. Importantly, medical literature reveals scant evidence of distressing responses linked to DOI, further questioning the DEA’s justification for imposing restrictions on these compounds.

In summary, the ongoing discourse surrounding the DEA’s intended scheduling of DOI and DOC highlights a conflict between regulatory oversight and scientific advancement. The argument presented by SSDP and various scientific experts centers on the critical importance of these substances for research into psychedelics and their therapeutic benefits. As the scheduled hearing approaches, the outcome will be pivotal in determining both the accessibility of potent research tools and the future trajectory of psychedelic research in the United States.