Science

University of Health Sciences Antigua Professor Discusses the Benefits of Psychedelic Medicine on Mental Health

Published

2 years ago

June 8, 2022

Dr. Manuel Flores is a man of science. Being a member of the scientific community, he is always open to new ideas and searching for the emergent truth.

“I know everything can be proved through science,” Dr. Flores explains. “Human beings think we know everything, but we don’t. A thousand years ago, people saw lightning, and they thought God was mad at us.”

As an award-winning educator, accomplished healthcare professional, and a professor at the University of Health Sciences Antigua, Dr. Flores is leading a study to determine the benefits of psychedelic therapy on mental health. “With science, you need to have an open mind,” he says. “The scientific community has always been open to new ideas. For decades, they have demonized psychedelic substances in our culture. I’m pleased to see that the public seems to be more open.”

Dr. Flores is correct about a growing openness to new information on drugs. According to a survey conducted by the Journal of Psychopharmacology, a vast majority of adults in the US, UK, and EU say that they consider psychedelic drugs — such as psilocybin-containing mushrooms — less dangerous than other mind-altering substances like alcohol, tobacco, opiates, and other substances.

What Are Psychedelics?

Dr. Flores and his team are studying the psychedelic alkaloid psilocybin, a substance found in a variety of “magic mushrooms” which are typically consumed for their hallucinogenic effects. They belong to a group of compounds known as psychedelics, which trigger changes in perception, mood, and thought. When psilocybin is taken, it’s converted to psilocin, a chemical with psychoactive properties.

“Psychedelics produce certain effects on the human mind,” says Dr. Flores. “These are alkaloids that produce sensory effects that don’t actually exist. For example, when taken in large doses, one might experience hallucinations.”

However, after decades of campaigns encouraging the public to “just say no” to drugs, extensive research shows the many benefits that psychedelic therapy has on people with mental health conditions, such as depression and PTSD, especially in areas where other treatment methods have failed. This is because psychedelics have been shown to create new neural pathways in the brain, resulting in the ability to increase serotonin production and unlock new avenues of thinking. As a result, patients are more likely to embrace their present situation rather than past trauma.

“The compound we’re studying, psilocybin, has shown many benefits in people with depression or anxiety when used in small doses,” Dr. Flores tells us. “The doses that were used back in the 1960s were quite large, which causes you to experience hallucinations and the negative effects.”

He continues: “In the 20th century, basically all drugs became demonized, including cannabis. Since the late 80s and early 90s, we have realized that some of these drugs have benefits if they are used properly.” For instance, the positive uses of substances like marijuana in treating cancer patients are well documented. When used properly, cannabis can help cancer and chemotherapy patients revitalize their appetite.

A Brief History of Psychedelics

Using natural substances like mushrooms and hallucinogens — both for recreation and medicinal purposes — predates recorded human history. In many cultures, spiritual leaders such as shamans used them as a means of communication with the gods.

“Historically, [these substances] were used by oracles and other people to predict the future or commune with spiritual deities. These drugs put you in that state where you see things you otherwise wouldn’t see, hear, or feel.”

Dr. Flores believes the demonization of drugs began in the Victorian era. “Culturally, the United States has always been a child of England and the United Kingdom, so the stigma around these drugs had a lot to do with Victorian-era beliefs regarding drug use and addiction.” For example, between the mid-1800s and 1900s, alcohol and drug addiction in the US became heavily stigmatized as a result of conservative influence stemming from Victorian-era England.

“In the 1960s,” Dr. Flores adds, “a very particular group of people that everybody called ‘hippies’ used LSD. When conservative people saw these hippies on LSD doing their dances and movements while using these substances, they became more demonized, and later — as a result of that demonization — completely illegal. So now, when you see somebody using drugs, you don’t see a sick person. You see a bad person.”

While caution is always essential when using mind-altering substances, especially considering the severe ramifications of the misuse of alcohol and drugs, Dr. Flores says that these same drugs possess the potential to do good.

What are the potential impacts and benefits?

According to Dr. Flores, the reason behind his research is that we currently only understand the short-term effects of psychedelic drug use. “We do not know for certain the long-term effects,” he says. “The side effects of these drugs are minimal, but we don’t know what will happen ten years from now.”

Dr. Flores isn’t alone in his work, though. In 2019, a study conducted by the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine used psylocibin to treat patients suffering from depression found similar results and benefits of the substance. Additional studies conducted by scientific and medical researchers and professionals at other institutions around the US, such as New York University and Mount Sinai, have also been conducted with the same conclusion. Their findings show that psylocibin and psychedelic substances show overwhelming promise to treat patients with a variety of symptoms and mental health disorders.

Nevertheless, the scientific process of understanding the potential impacts and benefits of long-term psychedelic drug use is complicated, involving observation, hypothesis, testing, and experimentation. Dr. Flores hopes that this process will lead to more peer-reviewed journals and — eventually — an emergent truth.

“It’s critical that we conduct this work without bias,” he mentions. “Science is the best thing we have to prove to our natural world because it is tested and retested, and one day, somebody will say, ‘this is an emergent truth, this is what’s happening.’”

The science community knows that these drugs have benefits for people with certain psychiatric disorders, specifically depression, anxiety, and PTSD. But what about any adverse side effects, like what is commonly referred to as a “bad trip?”

“Because the doses we use are so small, there are no bad trips,” Dr. Flores clarifies. “Bad trips came about because the doses used back in the 60s were high, because people were looking for those trips.”

The Importance of Research, Science, and Asking Questions

Science improves our lives. It makes our technology better and faster, provides life-saving discoveries, and can make us healthier. “It’s important to promote science because it’s the key to a better world. There’s nothing more important than learning and asking questions,” says Dr. Flores. “If you don’t know something, educate yourself, learn about it, and have an open mind.”

In this age of instant Google knowledge and WebMD, a bit of information can be dangerous.

“There’s one thing that doctors say,” Dr. Flores says with a laugh. “I went to college for four years, medical school for four years, and did a residency for three to five years. Then, suddenly, someone Googles something and thinks they know more about it than me. If you come to me, I will educate you, and then you can decide what you want to do. It’s called informed consent. It’s vital to educate yourself and then trust science.”

Dr. Manuel Flores is an experienced doctor who has risen in authority and is now the Dean and Vice President of academics of the University of Health Sciences Antigua. He’s an award-winning educator, superbly-rated senior academic administrator, and accomplished healthcare professional with over 18 years of experience in medical, clinical, and health science education, student, and patient-driven environments.

Science

Advances in Forensic Science: Innovations Shaping Criminal Investigations

Published

1 year ago

July 19, 2023

Jonathan Grilli

Forensic science is one of the core foundations of our justice system, providing essential tools to solve crimes and bring perpetrators to justice. With sophisticated techniques, forensic science deciphers hidden clues, interprets complex data, and illuminates connections that can lead to decisive conclusions.

In the current era, innovation fuels this discipline, sparking new methodologies that significantly boost crime detection capabilities. As we witness an accelerating pace of progress, it’s evident that the field of forensic science is not just adapting but indeed evolving, reinforcing its integral role in delivering justice.

Novel Fingerprint Analysis Techniques

Fingerprint analysis, a time-honored method in forensic science, is experiencing a wave of innovation. The advent of advanced technologies has caused a paradigm shift in approaching this age-old technique. It’s not just about matching patterns; fingerprints can reveal new information.

With new tools, forensic scientists can glean insights into the suspect’s lifestyle habits and substance use far beyond identity confirmation. This uncharted territory offers a wealth of additional clues for investigators.

Breakthroughs in DNA Analysis

Delving into DNA analysis, how significantly it has propelled forensic science forward is evident. Next Generation Sequencing, a technique that reads DNA at unprecedented speed and efficiency, has become a critical tool in the forensic arsenal.

Forensic scientists can now dissect even the most challenging DNA samples compromised by time, decay, or environmental factors. Imagine a years-old case, untouched, unsolved, its clues weathered away. DNA analysis shines here, extracting useful information from nearly invisible or degraded samples.

Amid this scientific evolution, professionals with a degree in forensic science are emerging as critical players. Armed with a rigorous academic foundation, they apply these groundbreaking DNA techniques to unsolved cases, unraveling mysteries that once seemed impossible.

Their contributions continue to shape how we understand and utilize DNA analysis in forensic science, giving fresh momentum to criminal investigations.

The Rise of Digital Forensics

Though offering immense convenience, the digital world has opened doors to a new breed of crime – cybercrime. The frequency and complexity of such offenses have created an urgent need for robust and adept digital forensics.

This specialty focuses on the meticulous extraction and evaluation of digital information for use in legal proceedings. Forensic experts dig deep into the digital abyss, unraveling complex webs of information. They retrieve hidden or deleted data, analyze network communications, and trace digital footprints to unmask the perpetrators.

The task isn’t easy. Cybercriminals are increasingly sophisticated, employing new techniques to cloak their illicit activities. But the field of digital forensics is keeping pace. As technologies evolve, so does the art of digital forensics, growing more effective and nuanced in its approach.

Progress in Forensic Anthropology

Forensic anthropology revolves around the study of human skeletal remains, unraveling clues about the deceased. Over time, this field has witnessed dramatic progress, which has enhanced its capabilities and precision.

Today, cutting-edge imaging technologies, such as 3D scanning, have come into play. These offer detailed visualizations of skeletal structures, yielding valuable insights. Advanced statistical techniques have opened up new opportunities to complement these technologies.

Now, with more certainty than ever, we can determine the age, sex, and potential cause of death from skeletal remains. The human body, even in death, tells a tale. It leaves behind an imprint that forensic anthropologists skillfully interpret. This amalgamation of technology and statistics is transforming crime-solving efforts.

Advances in Ballistics Examination

Ballistics examination, integral to many criminal investigations, involves the analysis of bullets and casings to help piece together the narrative of a crime. The recent influx of advanced technologies, like 3D imaging and automated comparison systems, is transforming this domain.

3D imaging, for instance, captures microscopic details of bullets and casings, revealing intricate patterns that were previously hard to decipher. These details can unlock vital clues in criminal investigations, from linking a bullet to its firearm to retracing the trajectory of a shot.

Meanwhile, automated comparison systems expedite the matching process, swiftly scanning databases to find potential matches. With these advancements, ballistics examination is becoming increasingly precise, which amplifies the reliability of its evidence.

Cutting-edge Forensic Toxicology

Forensic toxicology operates at the intersection of law and medicine, detecting and identifying drugs or toxins in the human body. As a pillar of forensic science, its advancements directly impact the field.

The proliferation of new laboratory equipment has catapulted the capabilities of forensic toxicology. For instance, liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, a technique of impressive sensitivity, has revolutionized substance detection. It can discern incredibly small quantities of substances, transforming droplets of evidence into torrents of insight.

Whether the case involves alleged poisoning or substance misuse, this technique has proven invaluable. These technological breakthroughs are vital contributors to the integrity of evidence presented in legal proceedings.

Microbial Forensics: A New Dawn

Microbial forensics is a relatively nascent discipline that has already sparked much interest and anticipation. This field focuses on investigating the microbiome, a rich community of microbes.

Each individual and location has a unique microbial signature. By studying these signatures, forensic scientists can glean unexpected yet vital insights. The microbes may reveal the identity of a suspect, track a person’s movements, or even provide clues to the cause of death.

The potential of microbial forensics is immense. It’s like a new language that, when decoded, can unveil secrets invisible to the naked eye.

Evolving Legal Implications and Ethical Considerations

As forensic science advances at an impressive pace, it brings along a ripple effect of evolving legal implications and ethical considerations. Legal bodies and ethicists are navigating uncharted waters to address these emerging challenges.

Privacy concerns sit atop the list of issues. Forensic science can now extract personal information from pieces of evidence that, while valuable for investigations, raises questions about data privacy. The potential for misinterpretation of complex scientific evidence is another concern. While offering detailed insights, advanced techniques require specialized knowledge for correct interpretation, highlighting the need for expert witnesses in courtrooms.

Moreover, using probabilistic genotyping algorithms in DNA analysis has sparked debates. These algorithms can help solve cases, but there are concerns over their accuracy and the transparency of their methodology.

Conclusion

Forensic science stands on the brink of a revolutionary era. Rapid advancements in DNA analysis, digital forensics, forensic anthropology, and other domains alter the crime-solving landscape. These innovations, driven by those with a degree in forensic science, enable more accurate, effective investigations.

Yet, they also demand fresh legal and ethical considerations. As we march forward, we must ensure these breakthroughs are leveraged responsibly, optimizing their potential while safeguarding individual rights. The future of criminal investigation hinges on this delicate balance.