After half a century of prohibition, the United States is on the verge of legalizing psilocybin and MDMA for therapeutic use in people suffering from post-traumatic stress or in terminal illness of cancer. Marjorie Smith was not well.

She put on a mask, plugged in headphones playing instrumental music, ingested a large dose of the powerful psychedelic substance, and lay down on the couch. Half an hour later, she had an anxiety attack. She had the impression of being in a “ slush fund” from which she wanted to get out at all costs. The patient… This article is reserved for subscribers. You have 97% left to discover.