Objectives of this learning scenario, developed by NYU Langone’s High School Bioethics Project, are to understand post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and the symptoms it causes, learn how the chemical psilocybin, found in psychedelic drugs, can potentially help people who have PTSD, and discuss the ethical implications of using drugs that are often used recreationally as therapeutics.
Curriculum Integration Ideas
This tool may be used in life or social sciences classes where there are psychology units for pharmacology.
Overview of PTSD
After a person experiences a traumatic or life-threatening event such as a natural disaster, a car accident, or military combat, he or she may develop PTSD. While it is typical to have anxiety about the traumatic event weeks or months after it happens, people with PTSD find it difficult to perform daily functions for an extended period of time. Sometimes treatment can cure PTSD, while other times it simply goes away on its own.