Dr Claudia Schwarz Plaschg - Transforming 'illegal' molecules into licensed medicines

Dr Claudia Schwarz Plaschg analyzes the shifting perception of psychedelic substances such as MDMA, psilocybin, and ketamine through the lens of medicalization and socio-psychedelic imaginaries. She highlights the dual nature of medicalization, which both transforms the legal status of substances and reproduces societal power structures. The current clinical research paradigm, driven by both non-profits and for-profit entities, serves as a primary driver for these shifts, framing these substances as essential tools for mental health treatments. Contrasting the medical framework, Dr. Schwarz Plaschg also discusses the underground and decriminalization imaginaries. These frames challenge the reliance on traditional medical gatekeepers and highlight systemic issues involving access, diversity, and fair distribution. The ongoing decriminalization of plant and fungi-based substances in US cities like Denver and Oakland illustrates the active tension between these competing visions of how to reintegrate psychedelics into modern society.