Oregon's psilocybin edibles mislabeling exposes consumers to synthetic psychedelics
- A recent study found that Oregon edibles claimed to contain psilocybin but did not include the compound.
- The products instead contained various unlisted synthetic psychedelics and other substances, raising safety concerns.
- There is an urgent need for stricter regulations and testing standards to protect consumers purchasing psychedelic products.
In Oregon, a recent study revealed that consumers purchasing edibles marketed as containing psilocybin were misled, as the samples analyzed contained no actual psilocybin. Instead, these products featured synthetic psychedelics known as 'syndelics,' alongside other active ingredients like muscimol, tryptamines, caffeine, hemp, and kava extracts. The research pointed out significant safety concerns regarding these alternative ingredients, some of which possess unknown toxicological and pharmacological profiles. The study published on September 11 in JAMA Network Open drew attention to the urgent need for better regulations and testing standards in the psychedelic edibles market, particularly as they gain popularity in various jurisdictions, including those that have decriminalized these substances. This mislabeling phenomenon has been identified as a pattern, reflecting broader issues within the regulatory landscape of psychedelics, where market expansion has not been coupled with equally robust safety oversight. Researchers also underscored the public health risks presented by the rise of synthetic compounds that have not undergone thorough safety evaluations. The study sheds light on the necessity for stricter controls, quality assurance, and enforcement actions to protect consumers from inadequate transparency in psychedelic product labeling.