Magic Mushrooms and LSD: The New Cure for Stuttering?
A groundbreaking study from New York University has revealed that individuals struggling with stuttering may have found relief in an unlikely source: psychedelics. Yes, you read that right – substances like psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in “magic mushrooms,” and LSD have shown potential in improving the symptoms of stuttering.
“We believe that exploring the effects of psychedelics on stuttering could lead to significant breakthroughs, especially considering their success in treating conditions like anxiety and PTSD, which share similar symptoms,” says Eric S. Jackson, an associate professor at NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development and the lead author of the study.
The study, published this month in the Journal of Fluency Disorders, is the first of its kind to delve into the experiences of self-identified stutterers using classic psychedelics.
“Stuttering can have a major impact on an individual’s social, occupational, and educational life. While traditional therapies can be helpful, their effects are often limited. Pharmaceutical treatments have been explored, but there are currently no FDA-approved options for stuttering. This is where psychedelics come in,” explains Jackson and his team in the study’s abstract.
The researchers go on to describe stuttering as “intermittent disruptions in speech” that can also trigger feelings of anxiety, fear, and shame. Negative reactions from others, such as teasing or mocking, only worsen these emotions and make it difficult for individuals to cope with their stuttering. While therapy can bring about changes in speech, these changes are often not long-lasting and can be accompanied by tension, struggle, and avoidance.
To truly make lasting changes, the researchers suggest that stutterers may benefit from redefining their relationship with their stutter and embracing concepts like openness and self-acceptance. This is where psychedelics may play a role in supporting overall well-being, reducing negative thoughts and emotions, and improving communication for stutterers.
In order to gather data for their study, the researchers turned to the online messaging forum Reddit, where they analyzed 114 publicly available posts from self-identified stutterers who had taken classic psychedelics.
“Our search yielded 167 posts, but we excluded 14 for not being firsthand accounts and 39 for discussing substances other than classic psychedelics, such as ketamine or MDMA,” the researchers explain.
The final sample of posts revealed that individuals who had taken psychedelics reported a range of positive experiences, including increased self-awareness, reduced anxiety, and improved communication skills. While the study is only preliminary and more research is needed, it opens up a new and exciting avenue for treating stuttering and improving the lives of those who struggle with it.
