In a landmark decision that signals a shift in mental health treatment and drug policy, the New Zealand government has officially approved the medical use of psilocybin, the psychoactive compound found in so-called “magic mushrooms,” for treating treatment-resistant depression.
The announcement, made Tuesday by Associate Health Minister David Seymour, marks the first time psilocybin has been legally prescribed for therapeutic use in the country. The move brings New Zealand into alignment with a growing global trend that includes Australia, Canada, Switzerland, and select U.S. states.
“This is about giving hope to people who have exhausted conventional treatments,” Seymour said. “We are moving carefully, but we are moving.”
Strict Regulation, Singular Approval
Under the new framework, psilocybin remains an “unapproved medicine,” but psychiatrists may now apply for special authorisation to prescribe it under Section 25 of the Medicines Act. The first such authority has been granted to Professor Cameron Lacey, a psychiatrist and academic at the University of Otago.
Patients will be selected carefully, with strict clinical oversight and documentation required. Currently, Prof. Lacey is the only practitioner approved to administer the substance, though further approvals are expected in coming months.
“It’s not about opening the floodgates,” said Seymour. “It’s about opening a door—for those who need it most.”
A Global Psychedelic Shift
New Zealand’s decision follows a similar move by Australia in 2023, where psychiatrists can prescribe both psilocybin and MDMA for certain mental health conditions. Internationally, trials are underway in the UK, Switzerland, and the U.S., with growing scientific support for psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
Recent studies have shown promising results, with psilocybin producing rapid and sustained reductions in depressive symptoms, particularly when paired with professional therapy.
Indigenous and Local Trials
New Zealand has also been host to local research, including trials in Christchurch and a pioneering Māori-centered initiative in Tairāwhiti, where psilocybin therapy was conducted in marae-based settings.
“These projects showed us that culturally grounded, respectful psychedelic therapy is both possible and impactful,” said a spokesperson from the University of Otago’s research team.
The Road Ahead
While the change is historic, experts and health officials caution that psychedelic therapy is not a silver bullet. Patients will undergo rigorous screening, and all treatment will be administered in clinical settings, often with therapeutic support before, during, and after the psilocybin session.
“It’s not just about the molecule,” said Dr. Lacey. “It’s about the setting, the preparation, and the integration that follows.”
Despite ongoing debates around drug liberalisation, public sentiment appears cautiously optimistic. Advocacy groups have hailed the move as a compassionate response to New Zealand’s growing mental health crisis, where rates of depression and suicide remain high.
As Prof. Lacey prepares to take on his first patients, the country watches closely — and perhaps, with a little more hope.
