When people refer to ‘psychedelic therapy’ they are referring to psilocybin (a substance found in many mushroom species) that can produce psychedelic effects. This substance produces a feeling of euphoria and sensory hallucinations once ingested that can last for hours at a time.

Recently, there has been increased interest in therapeutic uses for psychedelics, such as psilocybin. However, their medical and spiritual uses are not new. It is important to note that various religious traditions and cultures have used psychedelic substances as part of spiritual and medical practices. The first account of psychedelics being used to treat mental illness came about in the 1950’s, about a decade after Albert Hofmann (a notable Swiss chemist) described his experience of taking LSD. By the mid-1960’s, about 40,000 people had been prescribed LSD as treatment for mental illnesses from schizophrenia and depression to obsessive compulsive disorder and addiction. This research was halted in the 1970s by the passage of the CSA (Controlled Substances Act). The CSA determined that psilocybin is a “Schedule I” drug, meaning it has “significant potential for abuse and dependence” and “no recognized medical value” rendering its use illegal. Then, in 2006, researchers received approval to continue investigating psilocybin and its effectiveness as a treatment. This research proved that psilocybin is generally safe and could have the potential to positively impact mental health disorders.