[Ethics in the use of psychedelics: The definition of illicit drugs from the perspective of critical bioethics]. / Ética en el uso de psicodélicos: la definición de las drogas ilícitas bajo la óptica de la bioética crítica.

This essay, situated in the field of bioethics, examines the prohibition of psychedelic use, exploring arguments surrounding the growing evidence of their therapeutic potential and their millennia-long history of cultural and spiritual uses. It initially discusses the historical context of psychedelics and the various terms used to describe them. The essay problematizes the definition of "drugs," highlighting the lack of objective criteria for distinguishing between legal and illicit substances. Drawing on concepts and theoretical frameworks of critical bioethics, it analyzes how the prohibitionist moral discourse is sustained more by political and economic interests than by scientific justifications, leading to stigmatization and vulnerability. The essay advocates for the end of the prohibition of psychedelics based on ethical arguments, emphasizing their importance in reducing individual and collective suffering. The work contributes to a deeper reflection on this socially controversial topic, integrating interdisciplinary knowledge.

Este ensayo, ubicado en el campo de la bioética, analiza la prohibición del uso de psicodélicos, explorando argumentos sobre las crecientes evidencias de potenciales terapéuticos y su historia milenaria de usos culturales y espirituales. Discute inicialmente el contexto histórico de los psicodélicos y diferentes términos utilizados para nombrarlos. Problematiza la definición de "drogas", indicando falta de criterios objetivos para distinción entre lícitas e ilícitas. Bajo conceptos y referenciales teóricos de la bioética crítica, se analiza cómo el discurso moral prohibicionista se sostiene más por intereses políticos y económicos que por justificativas científicas, generando estigmatización y vulnerabilidad. Defiende el fin de la prohibición de los psicodélicos con base en argumentos éticos, resaltando su importancia para la reducción de sufrimientos individuales y colectivos. El trabajo contribuye a una reflexión profundizada sobre este tema socialmente controversial, articulando conocimientos interdisciplinarios.

Ética en el uso de psicodélicos: la definición de las drogas ilícitas bajo la óptica de la bioética crítica / Ethics in the use of psychedelics: The definition of illicit drugs from the perspective of critical bioethics

RESUMEN Este ensayo, ubicado en el campo de la bioética, analiza la prohibición del uso de psicodélicos, explorando argumentos sobre las crecientes evidencias de potenciales terapéuticos y su historia milenaria de usos culturales y espirituales. Discute inicialmente el contexto histórico de los psicodélicos y diferentes términos utilizados para nombrarlos. Problematiza la definición de "drogas", indicando falta de criterios objetivos para distinción entre lícitas e ilícitas. Bajo conceptos y referenciales teóricos de la bioética crítica, se analiza cómo el discurso moral prohibicionista se sostiene más por intereses políticos y económicos que por justificativas científicas, generando estigmatización y vulnerabilidad. Defiende el fin de la prohibición de los psicodélicos con base en argumentos éticos, resaltando su importancia para la reducción de sufrimientos individuales y colectivos. El trabajo contribuye a una reflexión profundizada sobre este tema socialmente controversial, articulando conocimientos interdisciplinarios.

ABSTRACT This essay, situated in the field of bioethics, examines the prohibition of psychedelic use, exploring arguments surrounding the growing evidence of their therapeutic potential and their millennia-long history of cultural and spiritual uses. It initially discusses the historical context of psychedelics and the various terms used to describe them. The essay problematizes the definition of "drugs," highlighting the lack of objective criteria for distinguishing between legal and illicit substances. Drawing on concepts and theoretical frameworks of critical bioethics, it analyzes how the prohibitionist moral discourse is sustained more by political and economic interests than by scientific justifications, leading to stigmatization and vulnerability. The essay advocates for the end of the prohibition of psychedelics based on ethical arguments, emphasizing their importance in reducing individual and collective suffering. The work contributes to a deeper reflection on this socially controversial topic, integrating interdisciplinary knowledge.

A atuação da atenção primária junto ao interdito com sofrimento psíquico / The performance of Primary Care to the psychic suffering interdict

O presente artigo é resultado de indagações frente à saúde mental /interdição civil, uma vez que as equipes de saúde não estão capacitadas para atender essa demanda crescente, que ao mesmo tempo possui o transtorno mental e é interdito, o que dificulta a manutenção do quadro clínico, pois o sujeito se torna alheio a si, deixando de fazer parte da comunidade ficando alheio a vontades de outros. Assim sendo, a importância de atender esse sujeito na atenção de saúde básica com vista a manter a sua cidadania e autonomia, o que possibilita a potencialidade da pessoa acometida de transtorno mental de se manifestar. (AU)

This article is the result of some questioning about mental health/civil interdiction, since health teams are not able to meet this growing demand of patients who, at the same time have a mental disorder and are interdicted. This situation makes it difficult to maintain the clinical picture, because the subject becomes an alien to him/herself, not being part of the community any more, becoming oblivious to the wishes of others. Thus, it is important to attend this individuals at primary health care, aiming to maintain their citizenship and autonomy, which allows the manifestation of the potential of the person who has a mental disorder. (AU)

Psychiatric evaluation of civil capacity with the new Brazilian Statute of the Person with Disabilities

The objective of this paper is to provide an update to psychiatrists regarding the new Brazilian Law for the Inclusion of People with Disabilities (BLI, Law 13,146 of 2015), and, specifically, to discuss potential implications of situations in which examination by a forensic psychiatrist points toward civil incompetence, while the above-mentioned law mandates full civil capacity for disabled persons. A study of Law 13,146/2015 was conducted, including a comparative analysis of legal and psychiatric approaches on the subject. This analysis revealed that the BLI has generated differences of opinion among legislators. However, the greatest difference seems to arise between the justice system and psychiatric expertise in relation to the difference of criteria adopted in the two approaches. The BLI is very recent; it should be revised in response to debates among psychiatrists and the criminal justice system, and especially as jurisprudence is formed over time.

Dementia and legal determination of capacity / Demência e avaliação de interdição judicial

ABSTRACT One of the consequences of dementia is the possibility of a guardianship proceeding that will deprive patients of legal capacity in taking decisions and managing their own assets. Objective To assess the legal capacity and guardianship proceedings in patients diagnosed with dementia. Methods Ninety-seven patients diagnosed with dementia and seen at a tertiary hospital were evaluated. Results Of these 97 patients, 60 (62%) were female. The mean age of the patients was 77.9 years; average schooling was 5.5 years. The main diagnosis was Alzheimer’s disease (73%): 16 patients were at a mild stage, eight at a moderate stage and 73 at an advanced stage of dementia. Only 28 patients had been legally declared incapable. Conclusion The large numbers of patients at an advanced stage of dementia, and the relatively few patients legally declared incapable show that legal issues in dementia are problematic.

RESUMO Uma das consequências das demências é a possibilidade da interdição judicial do paciente, retirando-lhe a capacidade jurídica da prática de decisões e administração de bens. Objetivo Avaliar a existência de capacidade jurídica e da interdição judicial em pacientes com diagnóstico de demência. Métodos Foram entrevistados 97 pacientes com diagnóstico prévio de demência atendidos no ambulatório de neurologia do comportamento de um hospital terciário. Resultados Dos 97 pacientes, 60 (62%) eram mulheres. A média de idade dos pacientes foi de 77,9 anos, e de escolaridade foi de 5,5 anos. O principal diagnóstico foi de doença de Alzheimer: 16 estavam em estágio leve, 8 em estágio moderado e 73 em estágio avançado da demência. Somente 28 pacientes apresentavam interdição judicial. Conclusão O elevado número de pacientes em estágio avançado de demência e reduzido número de pacientes com interdição indicou dificuldades em relação às questões legais da demência.