Exercise 1 – Vocabulary

1. psychedelic (noun) – a drug that alters perception and consciousness, sometimes producing hallucinations.
   Example: Substances like psilocybin are classified as psychedelics.

2. eclipse (verb) – to make something seem less important by comparison.
   Example: Recent clinical results have eclipsed earlier skepticism.

3. crackdown (noun) – strict action to stop or limit an activity.
   Example: There was a major crackdown on psychedelic research in the 1970s.

4. application (noun) – a practical use.
   Example: Virtual reality already has applications in education and medicine.

5. paradigm shift (noun) – a major change in the way people think about or approach something.
   Example: The internet created a paradigm shift in global communication.

6. psychiatry (noun) – the medical study and treatment of mental illness.
   Example: Psychiatry has begun to re-examine the value of psychedelic drugs.

Exercise 2 – Article

Over the past decade, psychedelics have re-emerged as one of the most debated and promising areas of psychiatry. Substances such as psilocybin (found in “magic mushrooms”) and LSD, once eclipsed by a decades-long crackdown, are now being studied for their potential applications in treating severe depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and even addictions.

In the early 1990s, only a handful of researchers dared to explore these drugs. But today, in 2025, dozens of major universities and medical centers across the US, Europe, and parts of Asia are running clinical trials. In 2023, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression, marking what many call a paradigm shift in psychiatry. Australia and Canada have also introduced limited therapeutic programs.

Supporters argue that these substances may provide options where traditional medication has failed. Patients often report not only symptom relief but also long-term improvements in outlook and wellbeing.

However, challenges remain. Psychedelics are still highly regulated, funding is limited, and many critics worry about long-term safety and the possibility of misuse. Still, public opinion has shifted: surveys in both North America and Europe show increasing support for carefully controlled medical use.

As mental health conditions continue to rise globally — with the World Health Organization reporting in 2024 that depression now affects nearly 400 million people worldwide — the push for new and effective treatments has never felt more urgent.

Exercise 3 – Discussion Questions

1. What are your thoughts on the psychiatric applications of psychedelics?

2. Should governments allow more research into these substances? Why or why not?

3. Why do you think traditional treatments for depression and anxiety often fail?

4. Do you believe psychedelics could create a “paradigm shift” in psychiatry, or are the risks too high?

5. How would you explain the increase in global mental health issues in recent decades?

Exercise 4 – Further Discussion

1. Do you think society is becoming more open to discussing mental health than before?

2. Why do many people hesitate to seek professional help for mental illness?

3. In your opinion, should mental health conditions be treated with the same seriousness as physical health problems?

4. Is drug abuse a major problem in your country? How does it affect public opinion about medical psychedelics?

5. Do you believe drug addiction itself is an illness, or more of a choice? Why?

Exercise 5 – Quotes

• “Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg, or your brain, it’s still an illness.” – Michelle Obama
  → Do you agree with this statement? Why or why not?

• “Society can now speak openly about topics once unspeakable, yet remains silent about mental illness.” – Glenn Close
  → Why do you think this silence still exists in 2025?

Exercise 6 – Sentence Building

Write one original sentence for each of the new vocabulary words in Exercise 1. Practice saying them out loud as if you were presenting in class.

Exercise 7 – Writing Task (TOEFL-style)

Write a short essay (150–200 words):

Some scientists believe psychedelics will become a normal part of mental health treatment in the future. Others believe the risks are too great.
State your opinion. Use examples from the article and your own ideas.

Model Answer

I believe that psychedelics will eventually become an accepted part of mental health treatment. The evidence from recent studies is too strong to ignore, and the need for new approaches is urgent.

First, traditional medications such as antidepressants do not work for everyone. Many patients struggle for years with little improvement. By contrast, clinical trials with psilocybin have shown rapid and long-lasting effects in people who had previously failed other treatments. This suggests a true paradigm shift in psychiatry.

Second, concerns about risk are understandable, but they are not unique to psychedelics. Every medical treatment carries possible side effects. What matters is whether the benefits outweigh the dangers. If psychedelics are given in controlled settings, with medical supervision, the potential for misuse can be minimized.

In conclusion, while more research is necessary, I agree with the scientists who argue that psychedelics represent one of the most promising new tools in psychiatry. Ignoring them would only delay progress in addressing the global mental health crisis.