Psilocybin, the psychoactive drug in magic mushrooms, was incorrectly placed into Schedule I in 1970.

Schedule I drugs are recognized by the federal government as having no medical use and a high potential for abuse, according to the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration.

This placement is despite research from before and after this scheduling, which makes it clear that psilocybin does have medical uses and is not addictive.

Even though this scheduling was unscientific and went against the research of the time, it remains unchanged 56 years later.

Its scheduling was more about politics than making effective drug policies. 

It is unknown why this incorrect scheduling has continued for this many decades, but researchers are working to remove psilocybin from Schedule I.

A variety of peer-reviewed sources have proven that psilocybin does have a medical use, specifically in treating addiction.

While more research needs to be done before it can be prescribed, the medical use for it is already overwhelmingly apparent, in addition to the evidence showing psilocybin is not addictive and does not have a high potential for abuse.

A study published on Aug. 24, 2022, by the New York University Grossman School of Medicine shows that two doses of psilocybin combined with psychotherapy reduce heavy drinking by an average of 83%.

Researchers at Johns Hopkins suggest that psilocybin, once cleared, should be moved from schedule I to schedule IV. This could be a lifeline for those who continue to struggle in their battle against addiction despite use of other rehabilitation methods. 

In both humans and animals, psilocybin has a low rate of abuse.

In research done on rats, when they pressed a lever to receive psilocybin, they did not press it repeatedly as they did for other addictive drugs like cocaine or heroin.

Humans who have used psilocybin most often used it only a few times throughout their lifetime.

Psilocybin also has no known overdose level, according to Johns Hopkins researchers.

Hundreds of thousands of American deaths are caused by substance abuse. The need for new and effective addiction treatment is imperative.

Although some effective prevention and treatment strategies exist, they are not widely used and only work for some.

The main treatments for drug addictions are 12-step programs, support groups and various medications, none of which are effective for every single person.

Research on various addiction treatments outside of psilocybin needs to continue.

Each person responds differently to treatment, and while psilocybin may help many people, not everyone responds the same. The need for rescheduling is dire as research shows this treatment can significantly improve lives, which could reduce the mortality statistics from certain addictions.