Key Findings:
- Recent studies show that psilocybin may be effective in treating depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and addiction, often outperforming other treatments.
- Psilocybin’s mind-altering effects conflict with Quranic teachings (e.g., Surah 5:90) that forbid intoxicants.
- Islamic law allows prohibited substances in life-saving cases (e.g., pig-derived heparin and Morphine). Some argue psilocybin could be permissible for severe mental illness if no alternatives exist.
Recently, studies on mental health disorders have identified psilocybin as a potent drug for treating depression, anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and addiction Psilocybin is obtained from magic mushrooms. It belongs to a class known as psychedelics. When they are ingested, members of this class are capable of altering your mind making you see, hear or even feel things that are not there. Due to this side effect, there is an ongoing debate as regards whether it can or can’t be used by Muslims.
Psilocybin as a Drug for Mental Health Disorders
Several studies have shown that psilocybin is a good choice of drug for treating mental health disorders such as depression anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and addiction.
A 2024 systematic review and meta-analysis by Metaxa & Clarke (2024) showed that people who used psilocybin in the treatment of depression showed better improvement of their symptoms compared to those who were placed on a placebo.
Similarly, another systematic review of five randomized controlled trials (RCTs) reported the following results:
- Three of the RCTs assessed reported that psilocybin was effective for the treatment of depression
- Four of the RCTs found that patients who used psilocybin reported better improvement in their anxiety symptoms. (Li et al., 2024)
Can Psychoactive Substances Be Used in Islam?
When it comes to where it stands on substances capable of altering the mind, the Islamic religion is quite clear and firm.
The Quaran clearly states:
“O believers! Intoxicants, gambling, idols, and drawing lots for decisions are all evil of Satan’s handiwork. So shun them so you may be successful.” (Quran 5:90).
Classical Islamic scholars, including Ibn Quayyim al-Jawziyya, have defined the word “intoxicants” to include all substances capable of making a person make questionable choices in judgment.
Now, going by this definition, most psychoactive substances, including alcohol and other recreational drugs, have traditionally been labeled as haram (forbidden). This is because they alter the mind of the individual who consumes them.
Now, because psilocybin also falls under this category of substances, one could argue that its use is forbidden according to Islamic teachings.
Can Darūra Justify the Medical Use of Psilocybin?
However, to completely understand the Islamic stance on the use of psilocybin for mental health disorders, one also needs to consider the concept of Darūra (necessity). Darūra is an Arabic word that means “an urgent need due to a difficulty.” It implies that there are cases where exceptions can be made. For instance, if avoiding that substance would cause harm to the individual then an exception can be made.
This principle is commonly applied in medicine. For instance, in situations where no other alternatives exist, heparin may be used for the treatment of bleeding disorders. This is notwithstanding the fact that it is gotten from pigs, and the Quran clearly states that pigs should not be consumed. The same could be said about alcohol-containing medications used in various settings.
Backed by this concept, some scholars have argued that psychoactive substances like psilocybin can be permissible if they serve a clear therapeutic purpose. For instance when no other option exists as others before it have failed.
Challenges and Counterarguments
Despite the potential benefits of psilocybin therapy for mental health disorders, several challenges and counterarguments have risen regarding its acceptance based on Darūra.
For one, critics warn that normalizing psychedelics like psilocybin would blur the line between drugs that should and should not be prohibited.
Even worse is the fact that psilocybin remains classified in most countries as a Schedule 1 Substance. In simple terms, this means that these countries have not yet acknowledged its medical applicability.
The fact that the majority of psilocybin trials for mental health disorders focus on Western populations, while often excluding Muslim ones, may contribute to a significant bias. This raises important questions about the relevance of findings from Western contexts to Muslim communities. For example, Western studies suggest that psilocybin is non-addictive, but can this claim be applied to individuals from non-Western cultural backgrounds? Moreover, if psilocybin were to be approved for medical use in these cultures, can we definitively assert that its use would remain confined to controlled clinical environments, without potential misuse?
A Path Forward: How Can We Reconcile Science and Faith?
By now, it’s obvious that if Muslim societies must use psilocybin in the treatment of mental health disorders, there has to be a balance between scientific findings and Islamic ethical principles. Based on research, psilocybin is effective for people with depression anxiety, trauma, eating disorders, and addiction especially those who have tried other drugs to no avail. However, the fact that it causes the individual to get intoxicated goes against Islamic teachings. The challenge, therefore, will be to find a middle ground where faith and evidence-based medicine can coexist.
A possible way we can achieve this is to clearly define the concept of Darūra as it relates to this situation. Since Islam allows the use of prohibited drugs (morphine) in cases of necessity, can psilocybin be used in cases when other treatments have failed? This is obviously under medical supervision and at a dose where its hallucinogenic effects are minimal.
Besides this, however, it will also be important to establish and maintain a good relationship between scientists and religious scholars. One way to achieve this is through constructive dialogue between researchers and religious leaders. This will help to completely understand the stance of both parties on issues. It will also help identify a common ground between both.
Furthermore, like a few things in the field of medicine, psilocybin use in the treatment of mental health disorders is still incompletely understood. If we are to push for its adoption among Muslims, for instance, there is a need for more information on how it affects that population. This will help address concerns that may arise.
Related Reading:
- Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) Shows Potential in Treating Body Dysmorphic Disorder: Early Research Findings
- From Phase IIb to Phase III: The Evolution of COMP360 Psilocybin Therapy in Depression Treatment
- Psilocybin Shows Gender-Specific Effects on CNS Reactivity and Behavioral Responses
What Does This Mean?
Thus far studies on psilocybin for mental health disorders have proven to yield fruitful results. The approval of psilocybin for the treatment of mental health disorders would provide a very effective alternative drug for these disorders.
FAQs
Can psilocybin be used in microdoses to avoid intoxication while still providing therapeutic benefits?
Some research indicates that microdosing psilocybin (taking very small, non-hallucinogenic amounts) may offer mental health benefits. However, this approach is still being studied.
Are there alternative treatments for mental health disorders that align more closely with Islamic teachings?
Yes, alternatives such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT), prayer, mindfulness, and prescription drugs are acceptable in Islam.
How do other religions view psilocybin use for mental health treatment?
Perspectives of other religions towards the use of psilocybin for mental health disorders vary based on what each religion teaches. According to Christian and Judaic teachings, for instance, consumption of mind-altering substances is prohibited except when medically necessary. On the other hand, Native Americans allow the use of these substances by believers.
References
Ibn Qayyim al-Jawziyya. I’lam al-Muwaqqi’in.
Metaxa, A.-M., & Clarke, M. (2024). Efficacy of psilocybin for treating symptoms of depression: systematic review and meta-analysis. BMJ, 385, e078084. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj-2023-078084
Li, L., Yu, M., Shi, Z.-M., Huang, X., Ning, Y.-P., Wu, H., Yang, X.-H., & Zheng, W. (2024). Psilocybin for major depressive disorder: a systematic review of randomized controlled studies. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 15. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1416420
World Health Organization. (2022, June 8). Mental Disorders. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders
