Psychedelics have a deep-rooted history among various indigenous groups around the world with the goal of achieving enlightenment and divination. Due to past ignorance and social stigma surrounding mind-altering substances, our knowledge is still limited and the field of study is relatively untouched. Throughout the 1950s until the 1970s, numerous barriers were in place to examine the use of psychedelics in psychotherapy with regard to the legality of the substances and research funding (as cited in Griffiths et al. 2016 ). Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essayThe use of these drugs has recently made a revival in modern clinical and recreational settings. Psychedelics have shown promise in a few key areas of research. People suffering from life-threatening illnesses can greatly benefit from psychedelic therapy, as it has been shown to significantly reduce instances of depression, anxiety, and suicidal tendencies that are common among cancer patients (Griffiths et al 2016). The powerful mystical experiences one experiences through the use of psilocybin have also been shown to be powerful catalysts for change in people struggling with addiction. In a pilot study conducted by Albert Garcia-Romeu et al. Psilocybin has been shown to be effective in helping people struggling with tobacco addiction. Although psychedelics such as ibogaine have also been shown to have the potential to treat opioid addiction at the molecular level (Noller et al. 2016), this may mean that the benefits of psychedelic therapy are not not only psychological but also physiological. This article will examine the role of psychedelics in providing individual benefits through the dissolution of the ego and how they encourage us to be more introspective. It is widely accepted that the use of psychedelics can result in feelings of unity and compassion, while also instilling a sense of respect for the outside world (Griffiths et al. 2006). Because of the positive feelings associated with consuming psychedelics, they have powerful therapeutic applications for people facing life-threatening illnesses such as cancer. Understandably, knowing that life is limited can take a heavy mental toll for some people, and often cancer patients experience higher levels of anxiety, depression, and suicidal tendencies (Griffiths et al. 2016 ). These increased rates of anxiety, depression, and suicidality also directly correlate with “decreased treatment adherence, prolonged hospitalization, and decreased quality of life” (as cited in Griffiths et al. 2016). . Griffiths demonstrated that psilocybin plays an invaluable role in eliminating these negative feelings in people with life-threatening cancer. Not only were negative psychological symptoms in remission after prolonged psychedelic therapy, but the benefits were also found to be long-lasting after a 6-month period (Griffiths et al. 2016). After a 12-month period, people who underwent LSD-assisted psychotherapy reported an overall decrease in anxiety and worry, while also reporting an increase in “enriching, cathartic, and interpersonal experiences” (Gasser et al. 2014). Overwhelmed by feelings of optimism and a flood of positive thoughts, people struggling withLife-threatening illnesses that typically burden one's psyche with negative feelings such as depression and anxiety see promising results that are sustained over a period of 6 to 12 months after use. LSD and psilocybin in a therapeutic setting. This potentially proves the validity of the role of psychedelics in psychotherapy as an effective alternative to traditional antidepressants without the same potential for abuse. This is because prior experience using psychedelics has been shown to reduce the risk of opioid dependence, while prior use of other substances has been associated with increased opioid dependence (Pisano 2017). ), meaning that even though psychedelics are classified as a banned drug in Canada, they do not exhibit the typical addictive properties one might assume. It is also important to note that traditionally, medications prescribed for many of the aforementioned illnesses are only effective when present in the body and require continued use. This can be problematic because, as stated previously; Treatment adherence in cancer patients has been shown to decrease due to depression and anxiety, meaning that the effectiveness of antidepressants would also decrease with reduced consumption. So far, the promising role of entheogens in reducing the psychological distress of individuals struggling with life-threatening illnesses has been examined, but these powerful psychoactive substances have also been shown to be effective in reducing individual addiction. resulting from prolonged use of alcohol, tobacco and other various opioids. The widespread problem of addiction has massive socioeconomic implications worldwide and global healthcare systems are under extreme strain due to addiction and other treatment-resistant disorders. Diminished psychosocial abilities, inability to maintain healthy relationships, job loss, and ultimately mortality are some of the socioeconomic complications resulting from addiction (Noller et al. 2016). The effects of addiction on the brain are well documented. Often, people struggling with addiction are unable to manage their cravings, temptation and self-discipline. It is important to note that the lack of self-discipline and temptation felt by drug addicts is not limited specifically to drug use. This potentially shows the effectiveness of psychedelics in treating not only opioid, alcohol and tobacco addictions, but also a wide range of non-drug addictions, such as gambling and video game addictions. (as cited in Garcia-Romeu 2015). This demonstrates that a banned substance with no known major health effects and immense social stigma can successfully treat addiction, as opposed to legal pharmacological substances that have known adverse health effects in humans. Ibogaine is another substance used to treat heroin and cocaine addiction. Research shows that people who struggle with substance abuse have higher rates of depressive orders, but when given ibogaine, they experience "rapid improvement in their depressed mood" (Noller et al 2016). If ibogaine has the ability to improve the mood of people struggling with drug addiction, it should also have the ability, alongside other psychedelics, to improve the mood of all people suffering from depression. Psychedelics may have a role to play in the treatment ofwide range of mental disorders and not just for individuals in certain circumstances (addiction, life-threatening illness). The foundation of human consciousness rests on the selfish structure of the ego. Ego dissolution achieved through mystical experiences can offer unprecedented insight into the inner landscape of the mind. It is important to convey to the reader how psilocybin and other psychedelics generally interact with the brain. Simply put, psilocybin is an agonist that works primarily by interacting with the serotonin 5-HT2A neurotransmitters (Hassler & Grimberg, 2003). Psilocybin can alter neurotransmission in an inhibitory or excitatory manner, as shown (Carhart-Harris et. al 2012). While we generally think of psychedelics as increasing neuronal activity in various areas of the brain due to the robust visuals and perceptual changes they produce, Carhart-Harris discovered and measured an overall decrease in cerebral blood flow to the cortex. anterior and posterior cingulate. This means that extreme neurological exertion may not be the cause of the visual hallucinations one may experience while under the influence of psychedelics. With this in mind, it begs the question of what the real function of the mind is. Take for example a faucet, where you have the ability to consciously control the flow of water depending on the amount you want. In the same way, consciousness can act as a control mechanism for the flow of madness produced by our minds. This gives rise to the possibility that it was evolutionarily advantageous for our minds to implement a control mechanism to manage the flow of consciousness, but that our minds naturally allow for hallucinations, visual distortion, and a wide range of other sensory changes to occur. This begs the question: If our minds are controlled by consciousness, do the decisions we make actually reflect our desires, or are we simply subject to the primordial animal desires displayed by the rest of biological life on earth? It seems that humans display a balance between primordial desire and rational thought. In some cases, such as finding a sexual partner, there are underlying determining factors that are biologically based, such as reproduction; other factors are socially motivated, such as financial stability, status, social peer pressure. Freud's concept of the ego can be divided into three distinct functions: the "id" which controls instinctive desires such as sexual pursuits, aggression, hunger; the “Ego” which acts as a measure of reality and is influenced by the external world, and finally the “Superego” which is essentially a moral compass developed thanks to the contribution of society and our education (Siegfried 2014). The dissolution of the “Ego” defined by Freud can result in a loss of a self-centered attitude in everyday decision-making, which has obvious benefits for society on a larger scale. While psychedelics promote a sense of unity between nature and the world, other substances such as cocaine have been shown to promote self-centeredness rather than altruism (Nour 2015). This shows the powerful potential of using psychedelics to positively influence personality traits. As we have seen, the mystical experiences one encounters while under the influence of entheogens have the potential to calibrate one's moral compass (Superego), pointing toward the possibility of the regenerative effects of psychedelics on a traumatic childhood. If an individual has not been properly socialized from a young age, or if their parents have not.