New Zealand gives thumbs up to ‘magic mushrooms' for depression treatment
New Zealand on Wednesday approved the medicinal use of psilocybin, a hallucinogenic compound notably found in 'magic mushrooms'.
Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour said rules had been relaxed so psilocybin could be used to treat certain types of depression.
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in some species of mushroom that can cause hallucinations and an altered state of mind.
A man in the US who grows his own mushrooms for microdosing psilocybin displays prepared doses in packets earlier this year. Photo: AP
'Psilocybin remains an unapproved medicine, but a highly experienced psychiatrist has been granted authority to prescribe it to patients with treatment-resistant depression,' Seymour said.
'This is huge for people with depression who've tried everything else and are still suffering,' he said.
'If a doctor believes psilocybin can help, they should have the tools to try.'
If a doctor believes psilocybin can help, they should have the tools to try
New Zealand's Deputy Prime Minister David Seymour
There will be tight rules for prescribing the drug.
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