The Czech Republic becomes the first European country to allow the use of psychedelics to treat depression
Patients in the Czech Republic with depression and other illnesses that do not respond well to standard therapies will be able to receive medicinal preparations of psilocybin – the active ingredient in so-called “magic mushrooms” – from next year.
The country has introduced strict rules that allow the therapeutic use of psilocybin on prescription. The Czech Republic becomes the first European country to allow the use of psychedelics to treat depression. The new guidelines were drawn up by the Psychiatric Society of the Czech Medical Association and detail who can use the therapy and under what conditions.
“The low toxicity of psilocybin, the minimal to non-existent risk of addiction and the high safety profile have been proven,” the health ministry said, as quoted by the Czech News Agency.
The change is expected to affect a relatively small number of patients, but according to Czech media, it represents a “significant step” in the development of psychiatric care. Until now, such therapy has only been available in the framework of scientific research. Antidepressants help about 70% of patients, while psychedelics can offer an effective alternative for the remaining 30%.
How will the treatment be administered?
Psilocybin will be used in therapy sessions that usually last about six hours and are conducted in the presence of two qualified therapists. The dosage will be determined according to the patient’s weight and cannot exceed 75 milligrams per month.
There are currently several dozen specialists in the Czech Republic who can administer such therapy. Most are in Prague and the second largest city, Brno.
The director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ), Jiri Horacek, said that the exact start date and future scope of access would depend on health insurers. He pointed out that psilocybin could also be used to treat other psychiatric conditions for which there are no effective treatments – such as depression after a cancer diagnosis.
Experts note that almost a third of adults in the Czech Republic suffer from mental illness – one of the leading causes of sick leave and disability pensions. About 700,000 people live with depression or anxiety.
In 2015, the country also legalized medical cannabis, most often used to treat pain, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis and cancer.
Illustrative Photo by Pixabay: https://www.pexels.com/photo/closeup-of-four-white-mushrooms-361186/
