[dummy808]

This is nuts. Bringing ECT into the discussion of a novel psychedelic medicine.

Totally different ballparks. Well-established results vs. very little formal research.

Have you had ECT, or do you know anyone who has? It's a last resort for horrible depression and not much else. It has huge risks, and while it does often make these people's lives manageable, it shouldn't be in the same discussion as a medication that's been out of discussion for political reasons.

shivers at the thought of ECT

[N_Lens]

My mother was treated with ECT for treating clinical depression and right afterwards she developed parkinsons. ECT was traumatic for her.

[H8crilA]

I do wonder how many more people would be open to ECT if instead of using the electrical pulse we would give people some drug that causes a brief seizure. Right after the anesthesia, of course, just like now - but there's no electricity involved. I don't even know if such a safe drug exists.

[roryirvine]

There's a sad history of exactly that - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pentylenetetrazol

Also https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Insulin_shock_therapy which used hypoglycaemic shocks rather than seizures.