Psychedelics have been a part of many cultures around the world. Nowadays a new stream of high-quality research is taking these (often ancient) psychedelics with the goal of applying them to mainstream healthcare.
From the US to Australia, clinical trials are currently underway to turn psychedelics into medicines. Psychedelics, and other drugs, are of course still commonly used and often recreational without many negative effects. Though here in our reports we will focus on the development of psychedelics as medicines.
Uruguay historically became the first country in the world to legalize cannabis. Other drugs are not criminalized in the country, allowing some psychedelic retreats to operate
The United States has become a hub for psychedelic research and some localities have begun to legalize certain psychedelics for therapy.
Although psychedelics are illegal in the U.K., the country and its institutions are establishing themselves as world leaders in this field.
Psychedelic researchhas been synonymous with Switzerland following Albert Hofmann’s synthesis of LSD and isolation of psilocybin.
Psychedelics are illegal in Sweden. Fortunately, clinical research with psychedelics is taking place thanks to the work of dedicated non-profits in the country.
In Spain, the use of psychedelics in a private place is decriminalized. From Barcelona to Madrid, psychedelic research is underway.
Despite having very strict laws surrounding controlled substances, in 2020 Singapore approved esketmaine for patients with MDD and suicidal ideation.
Portugal has one of the most progressive attitudes toward drugs in the world, decriminalizing all drugs for personal use in 2001.
Poland pioneers psychedelic research with groundbreaking 5-MeO-DMT trial and initiatives by Polish Psychedelic Society, despite strict laws prohibiting psychedelics.
Indigenous communities in Peru have been utilizing the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for thousands of years.
Psychedelic research is well underway in Norway. A number of ketamine clinics are operating in the country while researchers continue to collaborate with organizations like MAPS on clinical trials.
Research into the therapeutic potential of psychedelics is well underway in New Zealand, particularly with ibogaine given its legal status.
The Netherlands is well-known for its liberal drug policies. Psychedelic research is ongoing at several universities and many retreats exist.
Indigenous communities in Mexico have used psychedelic plants for healing and spiritual purposes for thousands of years.
All psychedelics remain illegal in Luxembourg. However, in 2021 Luxembourg became one of the first European countries to allow its citizens to grow and consume certain amounts of cannabis.
Psychedelic drugs in Jamaica are readily available, making it an attractive location for psychedelic retreats and researchers alike.
Psychedelics are illegal in Italy, although some research into their therapeutic potential is underway in the country.
Israel is one of the world's leaders in psychedelic research, with many studies being conducted and more underway.
Psychedelics are illegal in Ireland however, the country hosted a test site for the Compass Pathways psilocybin studies.
All psychedelics remain illegal in Iceland. However, there is interest in psychedelic medicine in the country.
Psychedelics are illegal in Germany, although the country is home to som big companies and research institutions in the field.
Psychedelics are for the most part illegal in France with the exception being ketamine which is available on persrciption.
While all psychedelics reamin illegal in Finland, some researcch into their therapuetic potential is underway.
Research into the therapeutic potential is taking place in countries all over Europe despite the varying legal statuses of psychedelics around the continent.
There is a history of the traditional use of psychedelics in Ecuador and as a results, some psychedelics are legally permitted.
Psychedelics are illegal in Denmark. However, research into their therapeutic potential is well underway in institutions across the country.
The Czech Republic has a long history with psychedelic research as numerous studies carried out during the first wave of research.
Costa Rica is a popular destination for psychedelic retreats given the legal status surrounding some psychedelic substances.
Indigenous communities in Colombia have a long history of using ayahuasca for religious purposes and therefore, it remains an uncontrolled substance.
Despite its restrictive drug laws, researchers in China are continuing to explore the therapeutic potential of ketamine.
Canada was the first G8 country to legalise cannabis and has recently permitted psychedelic therapy in certain circumstances.
Brazil has a long history with psychedelic drugs with ayahuasca being used for thousands of years by Indigenous communities.
Indigenous communities in Bolivia have a long history of using ayahuasca and today it is recognised as part of their cultural heritage.
Belgium is not doing a lot of psychedelic research. The history and current relationship with psychedelics are still very limited in Belgium.
Psychedelics are for the most part illegal in Austria. However, in 2016 the authorities decriminalized psilocybin mushrooms for personal use.
While psychedelics remain illegal in Australia, the countires Health Authorities have recently warmed to the notion of psychedelic therapy, providing a $15 million dollar grant for psychedelic research.
Psychedelic Countries
All around the world, psychedelics are being developed as medicines. Though in many countries, most countries, psychedelics remain illegal, research is now opening an avenue through which they can ‘escape’ laws and rules to enter back into legal use.
Research on psychedelics is happening from the United States to Switzerland, and from Brazil to Australia. Decriminalization is ongoing in many US states, and several countries in Europe are looking to change laws for the better. Though ketamine remains one of the only legal psychedelics – depending on the region – others may soon be approved.
