Gared Hansen cuts psilocybin mushrooms in his Uptown Fungus lab to prepare for distribution in Springfield, Ore., Monday, Aug. 14, 2023. (AP Photo/Craig Mitchelldyer)
Rep. Vanessa Summers, D-Indianapolis, responded to a meeting of the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services last week that discussed the possibility of treating mental health disorders with doses of substances more frequently used recreationally — and illegally.
“If scientists are able to prove that psilocybin is effective at treating mental health disorders and help us prevent Hoosiers from dying by suicide, we as legislators have an obligation to consider legalizing a program similar to that in Oregon to help our constituents,” Summers said. “Further, if we’re going to consider allowing psilocybin treatments, it’s beyond time Indiana joins the 38 other states with a medicinal cannabis program.”
Indiana residents have a higher rate of mental health issues than the nation’s average. Mental health issues affect 5% of children in Indiana, and suicide is second only to accidents in causing the deaths of teens to young adults.
Discussion about treatments, including the use of psychedelics such as psilocybin, was the main focus of the discussion at Wednesday’s meeting. Officials voiced their concerns about possible negative impacts of using psilocybin, or mushrooms, and testimony noted that treatments using psilocybin would be supervised by professionals and used in a safe manner.
Oregon became the first state in the nation to legalize the adult use of psilocybin, at the beginning of January 2023. Other states such as California, Washington, Colorado, Michigan and Massachusetts have a number of cities that have legalized the use of psilocybin for health reasons.
Psilocybin is administered in controlled environments under supportive care in a doctor’s office. The sessions usually last six to eight hours, and the effects can last anywhere from three to six hours. The doctors in the room provide help when needed but are there to simply monitor the participant and ask them questions about what they are feeling.
Studies have been conducted. For example, taking psilocybin while actively working in therapy has shown a positive change in depression symptoms, according to a Johns Hopkins Medicine study.
“The legislature can no longer ignore the vast struggles our constituents are living with,” Summers said. “While we continue to assess the effectiveness of psilocybin in treating mental health concerns, I remain committed to keeping an open mind about any safe treatments that can improve the quality of life for Hoosiers and prevent as many people as possible from taking their own lives.”
Mia Frankenfield is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
