Persuasive Essay Outline

Thesis Statement: Psychedelic-assisted therapies can be extremely effective in treating such psychological disorders as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and anxiety disorders.

I. Introduction
     A. What is a psychedelic drug?
            1. How do they affect the brain?
            2. Effects and side effects
                   a) LSD (acid)
                   b) MDMA (ecstasy)
                   c) Ayahuasca
                   d) Psilocybin (magic mushrooms)
      B. What is psychedelic-assisted therapy?
      C. History of psychedelics
            1. Attitudes towards psychedelics
                   a) prohibition
            2. Medical uses and research
            3. Uses in other cultures
II. Applications
      A. "Peak Experiences" - Abraham Maslow
      B. MDMA for PTSD
            1. Scientific rationale
            2. Case study
      C. LSD and psilocybin for anxiety and depression
            1. Scientific rationale
            2. Case study
      D. Addiction Therapies
            1. Canadian success for use in addiction therapy
            2. Scientific rationale
III. Arguments against using illegal drugs in psychotherapy
      A. "Illegal drugs are bad" (addictive, corruption of kids, "druggie lifestyle", etc...)
            1. Studies on the possible addictive properties of psychedelics
            2. Therapy would be under the supervision of a trained professional
            3. Comparisons to the dangers of various western medicine treatments
      B. Chemically induced states cannot be permanent, and therefore cannot solve a
           person's problems; it is a temporary solution
            1. Chemically induced state is meant to be a catalyst for past and future
                psychotherapy, not a "quick fix"
      C. Religious Ideology
            1. In no way would be a compulsory part of seeking psychotherapy
            2. Used for thousands of years in other religions and spiritual belief systems
      D. It will do permanent brain damage
            1. Contraindications for patients with certain disorders
            2. When used responsibly, there is no evidence as of now that
                indicates lasting negative effects
            3. All the more reason to devote more research efforts to determining
                any possible long term effects
IV. Conclusion
      A. People will always find a way to self-medicate
            1. Preferable to do it safely; safer alternative to alcoholism, or heroin use
            2. Compare to needle exchange, or safe and legal abortion
      B. Movement back towards a more holistic mindset
            1. Treating the underlying problem, not covering up the symptoms
            2. Alternative treatment options should be made available to patients for
                whom western medicine is not preferable for some reason