Anees Bahji: The surprising new treatment for mental illness

The surprising new treatment for mental illness

In 1943, chemist Albert Hofmann accidentally exposed himself to a drug he derived from ergot fungus and recorded its unexpected, mind-altering effects. The drug, lysergic acid diethylamide— or LSD— was soon heralded for its psychiatric potential. But how do LSD and other psychedelic drugs affect the body? And can they actually be medicinal? Anees Bahji explores the science of psychedelics. [Directed by Rowena Sheehan, narrated by Alexandra Panzer, music by Cem Misirlioglu, WOKRPLAYWORK].

A Swiss chemist’s accidental exposure to LSD in 1943 sparked decades of fascination and controversy over mind-altering drugs. Psychedelics like LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA interact powerfully with the brain’s neurotransmitters, producing altered states and even therapeutic effects. Recent research reveals they may help treat depression, addiction, and PTSD, sometimes faster than traditional methods. However, these substances carry serious risks and demand careful, ethical study before they can be widely accepted as medicine.