“New Mexico Lawmakers Discuss Potential Magic Mushroom Use”
Magic mushrooms, known scientifically as psilocybin, are not yet legal in New Mexico, but the topic is under consideration as part of a relatively new area of research for treating conditions such as depression. State lawmakers recently heard presentations from the New Mexico Department of Health (NMDOH) and University of New Mexico (UNM) researchers about ongoing studies and potential applications in the state.
“Effects include hallucination, change in perception, distortion of time, and the perception of maybe having a spiritual experience,” explained Dr. Lawrence Leeman, a professor at UNM’s School of Medicine. Legalizing psilocybin is now on the agenda for state lawmakers, who previously asked researchers to examine its potential medical benefits. “Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound. It’s converted to psilocin, which is the active agent in the blood,” Leeman added.
Arya Lamb, director of the Policy and Communications Division at the NMDOH, explained the approach: “We didn’t aim to propose a path forward. Instead, we conducted a thorough survey of ongoing psilocybin research as a therapeutic medicine. We also looked at the regulatory environment and challenges faced by other states in implementing similar programs. We wanted to provide the community, legislature, and executive with a foundational understanding of where we are nationally with this as a medicine.”
UNM and other institutions across the country are currently conducting studies on the medical use of psilocybin, primarily focusing on treating depression, including major depression and treatment-resistant cases. Hundreds of patients are part of ongoing clinical trials at UNM. “It’s a therapeutic model that we’re looking at. We’re not looking at a recreational model,” Dr. Leeman noted.
“There are about three phase three trials underway nationwide, and we’re participating in one that started a few months ago. Each patient’s study will take about one year, with the entire study expected to last around two years,” Leeman explained.
Unlike cannabis, psilocybin would not be intended for daily use. Instead, it could be administered under medical supervision once or twice a year. “The dosing for psilocybin in the research typically involves a six to eight-hour session in a comfortable setting, with facilitators guiding the process,” Leeman said, noting that post-dose therapy sessions would follow.
The effects of psilocybin begin within 15 to 45 minutes, peak around four to six hours, and last for about eight hours in total. Researchers believe that psilocybin may work by enhancing the brain’s neuroplasticity, allowing for new connections and pathways to form. “Psilocybin increases what’s called neuroplasticity, which allows for a period after use where new connections are made in the brain,” Leeman stated.
As New Mexico considers the next steps, experts have explored various options. Dr. Gary French, medical director for the Center for Medical Cannabis at the NMDOH, outlined four potential paths for state lawmakers:
- Wait for FDA Approval: The FDA might approve psilocybin for medical use as early as 2027, specifically for treating depression.
- Supervised Therapy Centers: This option would allow psilocybin use in controlled therapy centers, similar to the systems in Utah and Oregon.
- Decriminalization and Commercialization: Psilocybin could be decriminalized and potentially commercialized, as seen in Colorado. However, there are concerns about the lack of supervision with this approach.
- Further Research Funding: The state could fund additional research into the drug.
While experts did not recommend a specific course of action, they emphasized the importance of community engagement. “If we were to pursue a policy avenue in the future, it would be very important to engage the community in a very robust way,” Lamb said.
Safety remains a top concern. “As the state looks at this, I think that everybody is concerned about how to move forward safely if the state decides to proceed,” Dr. Leeman emphasized.
Experts also noted that it cost Oregon and Colorado between four to seven million dollars to regulate psilocybin in their states.
For those interested in viewing the full presentation, additional details are available online.
