Latest news with #UniversityOfOtago
The Independent
2 days ago
- Health
- The Independent
New Zealand approves use of ‘magic mushrooms' to treat depression but only one psychiatrist is allowed to prescribe it
New Zealand has approved the restricted medicinal use of psilocybin, a hallucinogen found in ' magic mushrooms ' for patients with treatment-resistant depression. David Seymour, New Zealand's associate minister of health, said on Wednesday that the rules have been relaxed on the use of Psilocybin in the country for the first time but only a highly experienced psychiatrist has been allowed to prescribe it to patients. He said the new policy is a 'real breakthrough' even as the drug remains 'an unapproved medicine'. 'Psilocybin remains an unapproved medicine, but a highly experienced psychiatrist has been granted authority to prescribe it to patients with treatment-resistant depression,' Mr Seymour said. 'This is huge for people with depression who've tried everything else and are still suffering. 'If a doctor believes psilocybin can help, they should have the tools to try.' The psychiatrist, Cameron Lacey, who was behind the first clinical trials of psilocybin, has been identified as the only medical practitioner to prescribe the drug. The professor at the University of Otago 'has previously prescribed psilocybin in clinical trials and will operate under strict reporting and record-keeping requirements', Mr Seymour said. Mr Lacey told RNZ that it had taken "a long time, a lot of energy and perseverance' to get the approval. New Zealand also announced plans to allow the use of melatonin, which is used to help with insomnia and allow its over-the-counter sale as the policy change on psilocybin was announced. 'Many New Zealanders have asked me why people can buy melatonin overseas but they can't buy it from their local pharmacy. Medsafe has assessed this and decided there's no reason why it shouldn't be available on pharmacy shelves right here at home,' Mr Seymour said. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms, commonly known as 'magic mushrooms'. Found in over 180 species of fungi these mushrooms have a long history of use in Indigenous spiritual and healing rituals in parts of Central and South America. Studies have found that 80 per cent of patients who were given psilocybin experienced a drop in anxiety and depression that lasted for six months or more. New Zealand has become the latest country to allow the use of Psilocybin. In 2023, Australia allowed some psychiatrists to prescribe the drug for the treatment of certain mental health conditions. In the US, only while some states allow restricted access to the drug.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Study reveals high rates of opioid use in NZ pregnancies
Photo: Unsplash In unexpected findings New Zealand has one of the highest rates of prescribed opioid use during pregnancy, according to new research. The data comes from a study led by the University of New South Wales, which tracked prescribed opioid use across 13 countries since the year 2000. Of the countries - which included Australia, Canada, the US, Denmark and the UK - New Zealand had the third-highest rate. Almost 8 per cent of pregnancies in New Zealand were exposed to an opioid, compared to only 4 per cent in Canada and 0.4 per cent in the UK. Co-author of the research is Dr Sarah Donald, of the University of Otago.
RNZ News
10-06-2025
- Science
- RNZ News
International scientists gather in Wānaka to shake up quake forecasting
Researchers from New Zealand, Australia, Japan and China have gathered in Wanaka to work on improving earthquake forecasts. Photo: Supplied Leading earthquake researchers and modellers from four countries have convened in Wānaka to tackle a tough question in seismology - how to estimate the size of an impending earthquake. The scientists from China, Japan, Australia and Aotearoa aimed to combine decades of seismic data, faultline research and statistical modelling to boost the accuracy of forecasts. (from left) Mark Stirling, Ting Wang and Boris Baeumer. Photo: Supplied Project leader and University of Otago Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka associate professor Ting Wang said it was not yet possible to estimate the magnitude of an impending earthquake - just the likelihood of it occurring in a region within a certain time. She said the team was working towards a statistical model to change that. "If we could forecast the magnitude of a future earthquake, that can help with our planning for those more damaging earthquakes," she said. The group was also focused on aftershocks - smaller quakes that followed a main event, often near the same fault. Wang was studying aftershock sequences, while others at the workshop were focused on real-time data, stress modelling and energy release. "We could use a statistical model to say 'what's the probability of how many earthquakes with what magnitude could happen?' - but we couldn't really say exactly in the next day what would be the earthquake magnitude, or energy release," she said. "Our aim is really trying to focus on the magnitude of the next earthquake, or the earthquakes in the next day, or next month." Wang said having scientists from around the world in one room was a real advantage. "Japan's history with the subduction megathrust earthquakes helps inform what we might expect here in New Zealand, because we have the Hikurangi subduction zone where there could be a very, very big earthquake," she said. University of Otago Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka professor of earthquake science Mark Stirling said the problems the group were tackling were something no single discipline could solve. "It takes data scientists, statisticians, and modellers working together testing ideas, sharing tools, and refining the models that support real-time decision-making." The Wānaka workshop was part of two major research programmes led by the University of Otago, with support from MBIE and the Marsden Fund. Sign up for Ngā Pitopito Kōrero , a daily newsletter curated by our editors and delivered straight to your inbox every weekday.
Grazia USA
09-05-2025
- Health
- Grazia USA
This Simple Routine for Better Sleep Takes Just 3 Minutes
Photo Credit: Shutterstock Too tired to work out? That excuse might be valid—but what if just three minutes of light movement could help you sleep significantly better tonight? No sweat, no yoga mat, no need to change into workout clothes. Just a quick, equipment-free routine for better sleep you can do without leaving your living room. A new study out of the University of Otago in New Zealand, published in July 2024 in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine , reveals that doing short, low-intensity exercises in the evening may add an extra half hour of sleep each night. And yes, that's with just three-minute sets spaced every half hour. A Super-Simple Routine For Better Sleep The experiment involved about 30 people with two evening routines. In one, participants sat for four hours, resembling a typical TV evening. In the other, they took short exercise breaks every half hour. The results surprised researchers: after evenings with active breaks, participants slept 30 minutes longer. 'A lot of sleep recommendations warn against intense evening workouts,' said Jennifer Gale, the study's lead author. 'But low-intensity movement like this activates the body without disrupting sleep cues.' This approach is accessible: no spike in heart rate—just light muscle activation. The Exercise Sequence Recommended by Researchers The routine fits seamlessly into your evening. No need to leave the couch—get up during commercials or scene changes. Each session lasts three minutes, every half hour. Focus on these moves, targeting the legs and lower body: Chair squats Calf raises Standing knee lifts Straight-leg hip extensions Each is short, equipment-free, and can be done in your living room. 'These exercises require minimal space and won't interrupt your TV time,' researchers note. Plus, this activity helps lower blood sugar and fat levels after dinner—reducing glycemic spikes that hinder sleep. A Solution Tailored for Sedentary People This routine isn't designed for those who run or gym regularly, but for people who spend days in front of screens. 'The key is simply getting up and moving regularly,' researchers remind. This micro-routine signals your body that the day is winding down and relaxation is near. It's a reminder that better sleep doesn't always require an expensive mattress—sometimes, just a few steps between Netflix episodes can do the trick. **Cette routine express de 3 minutes peut améliorer votre sommeil dès ce soir** This article first appeared on – Author: Magali Régnier topics: health and wellness, Sleep
RNZ News
08-05-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Wellington facing twice the amount of usual cryptosporidium
science health 20 minutes ago A nasty gastro parasite is making its presence felt in the capital with twice the number cryptosporidium cases that would be normal around this time of the year. As of last Thursday, there were 81 confirmed cases reported in the Greater Wellington Region for the year, with the majority reported from mid-March. The bug can cause severe vomiting and diarrhoea and people can be infectious for up to two weeks. Professor of Parasitology from the University of Otago Bruce Russell spoke to Lisa Owen.
