Policy in focus: Is psilocybin the next cannabis?

Interest in using psilocybin (the active compound in 'magic mushrooms') for therapy is increasing, while unregulated dispensaries selling psychedelics proliferate in Canada and the United States. Over the past ten years, research into the clinical application of psychedelics for conditions such as depression and addiction has undergone a revival.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Research interest in the therapeutic use of psilocybin, or "magic mushrooms," is growing alongside a "wild west" of dispensaries in Canada and the United States. The past decade has seen a revival of research exploring the clinical use of psychedelics in treating depression, addiction,