Magic mushrooms for postpartum depression treatment? Florida researchers running trials – WESH

Report on Psilocybin Clinical Trials and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: Addressing Mental Health through Innovative Research

Researchers at the University of South Florida are conducting clinical trials to assess the efficacy of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound, as a treatment for major depressive disorders, including postpartum depression. This research directly aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, by seeking innovative solutions to promote mental health and address treatment-resistant conditions.

Core Research Objectives and Contribution to SDG 3

The primary goal of the clinical trials is to generate data that could lead to the reclassification and approval of psilocybin as a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulated medication. This effort is a critical step toward achieving SDG Target 3.4, which aims to reduce premature mortality from non-communicable diseases and promote mental health and well-being.

• Target Conditions: The research focuses on major depressive disorders and postpartum depression, conditions that significantly impact individual and community well-being.
• Mechanism of Action: Investigators are studying how psilocybin targets serotonin receptors to disrupt neural networks involved in depression, potentially offering a novel mechanism compared to existing treatments.
• Dosage Optimization: A key area of exploration is the use of smaller, non-psychoactive doses (microdosing) to activate serotonin receptors and achieve therapeutic benefits without unwanted side effects.
• Regulatory Pathway: According to Dr. Ryan Wagoner, a researcher involved in the study, the ultimate objective is to demonstrate that psilocybin’s medical value outweighs its risks, facilitating its approval as a standard medication.

Focus on Maternal Mental Health and SDG 5

The specific emphasis on postpartum depression highlights a critical gap in maternal healthcare, directly supporting SDG 5: Gender Equality. By prioritizing a health issue that uniquely affects women, the research contributes to the overall well-being and empowerment of mothers.

• Tracey Tee, CEO of Moms on Mushrooms, noted that the mental health of mothers has been historically mis-prioritized.
• Studying psilocybin for postpartum depression is seen as a vital step in correcting this imbalance and providing mothers with effective treatment options.

Key Findings and Clinical Considerations

The research builds on existing evidence and aims to establish a comprehensive understanding of psilocybin’s therapeutic application. The National Institutes of Health reports that approximately 30% of patients suffer from treatment-resistant depression, underscoring the need for new modalities.

1. Evidence of Efficacy: A prior Johns Hopkins study found that two doses of psilocybin led to rapid and significant reductions in depressive symptoms, providing a foundation for current trials.
2. Integrated Treatment Model: Experts emphasize that psilocybin is not a passive “magic pill.” Its effectiveness is enhanced when paired with other therapeutic practices, requiring active patient participation.
3. Safety and Side Effects: Clinical trials are essential for detecting unexpected side effects and establishing a clear safety profile before the treatment can be widely adopted.

Challenges and Implications for SDG 16

Significant legal and social barriers must be overcome for psilocybin to become an accessible medical treatment. This process relates to SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions, as it involves reforming existing laws and policies based on scientific evidence to build more effective and health-oriented institutions.

• Legal Status: Psilocybin is classified as a Schedule 1 controlled substance at both the state (Florida) and federal levels, making possession a felony and creating substantial obstacles for research and access.
• Social Stigma: A persistent stigma surrounding psychedelic compounds must be addressed to facilitate their acceptance as legitimate medical treatments.
• Regulatory Hurdles: The path to FDA approval is rigorous, requiring comprehensive data to prove safety and efficacy, a process the ongoing clinical trials are designed to support.

Conclusion: Future Outlook

The clinical trials at the University of South Florida represent a significant advancement in the search for effective mental health treatments. By pursuing an evidence-based pathway toward FDA approval, this research has the potential to provide a valuable new tool for combating depression, directly contributing to the achievement of global health and equality goals as outlined in the SDGs. Continued data collection and research are paramount to realizing this potential.

1. SDGs Addressed in the Article

SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• The article’s central theme is the research and clinical trials for psilocybin as a treatment for mental health disorders, including major depressive disorder and postpartum depression. This directly aligns with SDG 3’s goal to “ensure healthy lives and promote well-being for all at all ages.” The research at the University of South Florida aims to develop new, effective medications to improve mental health outcomes, as Dr. Ryan Wagoner states they are trying to move towards “medications that can be Food and Drug Administration-approved.”

SDG 5: Gender Equality

• The article specifically highlights the application of psilocybin for postpartum depression and emphasizes the historical neglect of maternal mental health. Tracey Tee, founder of Moms on Mushrooms, is quoted saying, “We’ve greatly misjudged and mis-prioritized the mental health of mothers in general.” By focusing on a health issue that uniquely affects women and seeking to provide better treatment, the work discussed in the article contributes to the well-being and health of women, a key component of gender equality.

SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• The article discusses the legal and institutional barriers to using psilocybin for medical treatment. It is currently classified as a “Schedule 1 controlled substance at both the state and federal levels.” The research aims to provide scientific evidence to challenge this classification. Dr. Wagoner explains the process: “If you can show that the substance does have a medical property that’s valuable to it and outweighs any sorts of risks, suddenly we can move what schedule it’s on and get it approved to be a medication.” This relates to developing effective and accountable institutions (like the FDA) that can adapt policies and laws based on scientific evidence.

2. Specific Targets Identified

Targets under SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being

• Target 3.4: By 2030, reduce by one third premature mortality from non-communicable diseases through prevention and treatment and promote mental health and well-being. The research into psilocybin directly addresses this target by seeking new treatments for depression, a major non-communicable disease, with the goal of promoting mental health. The article cites a Johns Hopkins study that found psilocybin “produced rapid and large reductions in depressive symptoms.”
• Target 3.b: Support the research and development of vaccines and medicines for the communicable and non-communicable diseases. The entire article is about the clinical trials and research efforts at the University of South Florida to develop psilocybin into an FDA-approved medication, which is a clear example of supporting R&D for a non-communicable disease (depression).

Targets under SDG 5: Gender Equality

• Target 5.1: End all forms of discrimination against all women and girls everywhere. The statement that “we’ve greatly misjudged and mis-prioritized the mental health of mothers” points to a systemic neglect that can be considered a form of discrimination in healthcare. The research specifically focusing on postpartum depression aims to correct this imbalance and provide targeted care for mothers.

Targets under SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions

• Target 16.b: Promote and enforce non-discriminatory laws and policies for sustainable development. The current classification of psilocybin as a Schedule 1 substance acts as a barrier to its medical use. The effort to reclassify it based on scientific evidence is an attempt to reform a policy that may be preventing access to effective treatment, thereby promoting a more evidence-based and non-discriminatory legal framework for medicine.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied

Indicators for SDG 3

• Reduction in depressive symptoms: The article implies this as a key indicator of success by referencing a Johns Hopkins study that “found that two doses of psilocybin produced rapid and large reductions in depressive symptoms.” This is a direct measure of treatment efficacy.
• FDA approval of new medications: Dr. Wagoner’s goal is to “get it approved to be a medication just like anything else.” Achieving FDA approval would be a concrete indicator that research has successfully translated into a viable treatment option.
• Treatment success rate for treatment-resistant depression: The article notes that “approximately 30% of patients with major depressive disorder have treatment-resistant depression.” The effectiveness of psilocybin in this specific population would serve as a crucial indicator of progress beyond existing medications.

Indicators for SDG 5

• Development and availability of targeted treatments for postpartum depression: The specific focus of the research on postpartum depression implies that the creation and eventual accessibility of a psilocybin-based treatment for this condition would be a measure of progress in addressing mothers’ mental health needs.

Indicators for SDG 16

• Reclassification of controlled substances based on medical evidence: A direct indicator mentioned is the potential to “move what schedule it’s on.” Successfully reclassifying psilocybin from a Schedule 1 drug would demonstrate that legal and regulatory institutions are responding to scientific research and data.

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: wesh.com