WSU Neuroethics Blog

Adolescent Brain Development and the Law Picture from… https://www.picserver.org/photo/27331/Court-order.html Adolescents & the Law Many people tend to label adolescents as risk-takers or trouble-makers. While they do tend to favor riskier behaviors (Bonnie & Scott, 2013), neuroscience research is helping us understand why this is so. There is growing literature focused on the adolescent brain and how adolescents should be treated in court. In one recent review article, it mentions that we are making huge advancements in understanding the adolescent brain, but it can’t yet evaluate the maturity of individual youth for the purposes of court cases (Bonnie & Scott, 2013). Previously, there was more focus on punitive measures for adolescents in the 1980s to 1990s due to a rise in crime. There were more youths put into confinement in the juvenile system during that time. Today, understanding of the rate at which teen brains mature have lawmakers lobbying for more lenient sentenc...

    “Magic” or Therapeutic      Psilocybin is a substance found in a number of mushroom species that can be ingested to cause psychoactive effects. It is considered a psychedelic or hallucinogenic drug sharing similarities to other psychedelics in terms of effects. Psilocybin is classified as a prodrug, or a substance that is inactive until metabolized into an active drug after ingesting. There has been an increase in research on psychedelics due to their potential in helping with mental health disorders and neuroplasticity. Mood and mental disorders are rapidly increasing and place an enormous burden on the individual and society. Although its research has been controversial, psilocybin (mushrooms) have been found to have positive effects on mental health and neuroplasticity. Mental Health      Psilocybin has a long history of use in traditional medicine and spiritual practices, particularly among Indigenous cultures in Central and South ...