Lawmakers heard testimony Tuesday on the potential of psilocybin, also known as “magic mushrooms,” as a mental health treatment. [Health News Illinois]
Jean Lacy, founding executive director of the Illinois Psychedelic Society, said psilocybin could help address a rise in suicides, especially among veterans and postpartum women.
Waiting for approval from the Food and Drug Administration could prevent thousands from accessing the treatment, she said.
“We seek to be a responsible leader in the state with psychedelics,” she told members of the House’s Mental Health & Addiction Committee.
Lacy said patients are already seeking these treatments on the black market, and a state-regulated structure could protect them.
Dr. Abid Nazeer, chief medical officer and medical director for Hopemark Health, is among the psychiatrists advocating for psilocybin. While still labeled as a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration, there’s no reason to think it's more dangerous than prescribed medications like opioids or Xanax, he said.
Dr. Christopher Holden, representing the Illinois Psychiatric Society, urged lawmakers to allow the FDA and the “broader medical community to have hard evidence on efficacy and develop standards of care,” which include dosing, prescribing and treatment protocols.
While research continues on psilocybin and its potential effects, there are proven medications and treatment plans that are underutilized to treat patients, he said.
"I'm hopeful about potential for new treatments that can help with mental health, (but) worry of clinics or companies that offer psychedelics that are not FDA-approved, especially without a psychiatrist involved, without more research," he said.
Holden agreed with advocates that psilocybin has shown little addictive potential.
Lawmakers held a subject matter hearing on two pieces of legislation that could pave the way for the use of psilocybin for patients with mental health challenges.
Sen. Rachel Ventura, D-Joliet, said her plan would create an advisory board to recommend best practices for the Department of Financial and Professional Regulation to regulate licenses. Psilocybin would not be for commercial sale, and patients would only be able to use it in a facility with a licensed individual who provides the treatment and supports them during the experience.
Rep. La Shawn Ford, a Chicago Democrat and sponsor of a similar House bill, said they will look to pass one unified piece of legislation. They plan to either move the bill during next month’s lame-duck session or in the upcoming spring session.
Rep. Bill Hauter, R-Morton, noted that psilocybin is still labeled as an illegal substance and that individuals may not have the necessary training to administer it to patients.
“I want this to work, but in medicine, we cannot have a motion to rule over evidence,” he said. “I just urge the committee to see the potential, and then go through the process.”
The FDA has granted psilocybin “breakthrough therapy” status for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder.
Oregon and Colorado have legalized psilocybin for supervised use.
Tuesday’s hearing was the second held this year by lawmakers on psilocybin as a potential treatment for mental health.
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