New Drug of Choice

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Oregon and now Colorado have established themselves as leaders in legalizing drug use.

Earlier this month, Colorado legalized five naturally occurring psychedelics — but a new study released Thursday may be causing voters to have second thoughts.

In tonight's In-Depth Report, Church Militant's Kristine Christlieb opens the doors of perception to reveal what's behind the trend.

Ron White, comedian: "I really thought towards the end of that, that I wouldn't do it again because I just didn't see the benefit of it, you know. It scared me. It didn't scare me, but it wasn't pleasant at all."

Comedian Ron White is on Joe Rogan's podcast describing his experience with ayahuasca, the Amazonian psychedelic brew that is taking the celebrity circuit by storm.

The drug's active ingredient dimethyltryptamine, or DMT, along with four other naturally occurring hallucinogenic substances are now legal in Colorado.

The results of an Australian study released last week note that the benefits of the drug have been studied but not its adverse side effects.

White describes having diarrhea after drinking the brew, and he said others vomited.

That's what the study found. Sixty-eight percent of participants experienced nausea and vomiting, 18% experienced headache and 13% had abdominal pain.

Most people experimenting with the substance are looking for relief from mental health issues.

Noted Canadian physician and author Gabor Maté, who has written extensively about mental health issues and addictions and who's a proponent of ayahuasca, described his experience in an interview with celebrity lifestyle guru Tim Ferriss.

Dr. Gabor Maté, author and physician: The baby was in the room, and the baby was cooing away. And tears started flowing down my face, and these were not tears of sorrow; they were tears of joy. And I got in touch with such profound love that I had never consciously experienced before."

So while Maté experienced joy, White was frightened and didn't find the experience beneficial.

The study notes that 88% of people surveyed believed their experience with ayahuasca was completely or somewhat part of a positive growth experience.

But there are bad trips.

They're sometimes cast in a positive light as being part of the drug user's "growth experience," but the negative mental health effects can linger, especially among certain populations.

Worldwide, people are seeking relief from depression, anxiety, addiction and other mental health disorders.

Many are willing to try almost anything. Are Christians doing enough to tell them about the Divine Physician?

According to The New York Times, the use of ayahuasca is increasing, "thanks to growing interest among mental health professionals."

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