But Prof Nutt, Prof Howes and Dr Das, believe that progress into the clinic is being slowed by the difficulty of obtaining permission to carry out medically supervised clinical trials.
“There are so many people suffering unnecessarily,” Prof Nutt told BBC News. “And some of them are dying, because of the unreasonable barriers to research and treatment that we face in this country. It is, in my view, a moral failing.
“When these medicines are proven to be safe and effective, I think it is vital they are made available through the NHS to all who need them, not limited to the private sector, as happened with medical cannabis.”
Although he urges caution, it is a view shared by Prof Howes.
“There are big barriers to doing this research, so we do ask for the government to review the regulations of these substances, for research, because it does lead to long delays, and, we desperately do need new treatments.”
The analysis from Mr Lemarchand calls for greater scrutiny of trials. “To guarantee that hallucinogens are rigorously vetted before endorsing them as safe and effective treatments medical journals must appraise the evidence more critically, fully account for limitations, avoid spin and unsubstantiated claims, and correct the record when needed.”
The Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs is also blunt in stating that Schedule 1 “contains those of no medicinal value,” so they should sit under the tightest controls, it says. Ministers also tie the Home Office licensing regime directly to public protection.