South African psychiatrists gear up to treat depression with psychedelics

According to a recent article in the Daily Maverick, South African psychiatrists are preparing to use psychedelics to treat depression 1. The clinical trial will be conducted at Stellenbosch University and will use “magic mushrooms” containing psilocybin, a psychoactive ingredient, to treat depression. This is the first clinical trial of its kind in South Africa 1. The university will import a laboratory-made version of the drug for the trial. Psilocybin is a traditional psychedelic substance that has been found to help improve people’s mental health 1. The trial will be run in partnership with the local branch of the international research institute TASK and will test psilocybin to treat depression in HIV-positive women, who are vulnerable to mental health difficulties.... see more