It appears that society is increasingly embracing solutions whose inner workings remain a mystery, a trend underscored by the rising adoption of cutting-edge technologies like artificial intelligence (AI) and traditional remedies for ennui such as psychedelics.
In the United States, the allure of psychedelics is on an upward trajectory. A 2021 study by the University of Michigan unveiled that 8.8% of American adults aged 18 to 30 had experimented with psychedelics in the preceding year, marking an increase from 7.6% in 2020 and a significant leap from the 4.3% recorded in 2017. The current rate of psychedelic usage nearly matches that of tobacco smokers, which stands at 11%, albeit the popularity of smoking has seen a significant decline.
The discourse surrounding drug consumption in the U.S. is undergoing a transformation. Psilocybin, commonly known as magic mushrooms, has received legal status in several states for medicinal purposes. Even President Joe Biden appears to be adopting a more lenient stance on the matter. The pivot in perspective is largely attributed to the ineffectiveness of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), which have been the preferred treatment for depression since the 1980s. While SSRIs may alleviate acute anxiety, they fall short of offering a lasting solution.
The genesis of SSRIs can be traced back to the “serotonin hypothesis” that emerged in the 1960s, following observations that medication prescribed for high blood pressure inadvertently reduced serotonin levels and was associated with a higher incidence of depression among patients. Eli Lilly was the pioneer in developing the first drug of this kind, Prozac, which it then commercialized extensively.
Philosopher Julian Baggini, in his book ‘How the World Thinks’, attributes this phenomenon to the “reductionist” approach that began to dominate Western thought. This approach sought to deconstruct the world into its elemental parts and understand their interrelations, leading to oversimplified beliefs such as the universal detriment of saturated fats and the sole importance of serotonin in influencing happiness.
However, the serotonin hypothesis has not held up well, with depression rates in the U.S. climbing from 10% in 2015 to 18% in 2023, according to a Gallup survey. This increase occurred despite the widespread use of SSRIs.
In contrast to SSRIs, the challenge with psychedelics lies in the absence of a straightforward theory explaining their mechanism of action. The lack of understanding regarding their effect on the brain means that their efficacy can only be determined through observational studies. Nevertheless, regulatory bodies are beginning to acknowledge this, as evidenced by Compass Pathways’ positive outcomes from phase 2 trials of its psilocybin medication for post-traumatic stress syndrome, and Cybin’s promising results for its DMT treatment for generalized anxiety disorder.
While both companies are in the nascent stages of development, and have experienced a downturn in share prices amidst rising interest rates, there is optimism that their trials will prove successful and lead to market releases by 2026.
The quest for reductionist explanations is not limited to psychedelics. AI scientists face a similar dilemma, as they can construct models without fully comprehending their output processes. “We built it, we trained it, but we don’t understand what it’s doing,” shared Sam Bowman, an AI scientist from NYU, with Vox.
Despite the enigmatic nature of AI technology, American leading corporations have seen their stock values soar on the promise of AI. Microsoft, for instance, showcased its new AI product, Copilot, during the Super Bowl, aiming to integrate this enigmatic software into the lives of global citizens. This ambition has been met with significant market approval, propelling Microsoft to the status of the world’s most valuable company.
The challenges of escalating mental health issues and stagnating productivity are among the pressing dilemmas of our era. Both medical psychedelics and AI present potential solutions to these problems. Society’s acceptance of these innovations necessitates an appreciation for the complexity of the world, recognizing that not everything can be reduced to simple models. The discovery of oranges as a remedy for scurvy, long before the identification of vitamin C deficiency as the cause, exemplifies this notion. Sometimes, things just work, even when the underlying mechanisms remain elusive.