Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
A recent study published in Current Biology reveals that fungi play a significant role in mitigating climate change.
GALLOWAY TOWNSHIP — Psilocybin has been proven to effectively reduce depression and anxiety, according to research released Wednesday by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at Stockton University.
Psilocybin is the psychoactive compound in magic mushrooms. A slim majority of New Jersey residents approve legalizing this type of treatment, according to a poll that was part of the report.
The research, conducted by psychology professor and Hughes Center faculty associate Justin Ostrofsky and student researchers Shayla Nagle, Morgan Seidman and Katherine Wilkinson, examined clinical studies to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of using psilocybin to treat mental health disorders.
They also examined the results of a Hughes Center poll of more than 600 New Jersey residents that sought to gauge public support for legalizing such treatment.
“We hope this report adds to the public discourse around this topic and helps New Jersey residents feel more informed,” said Alyssa Maurice, interim director of the Hughes Center.
A Somers Point man who admitted running a large marijuana operation out of his home and using his teenage son to distribute the drugs was sentenced to 10 years in prison Tuesday, the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office said.
The report concluded the use of psilocybin under professional supervision has shown significant anti-depressant and anti-anxiety effects that have been replicated across multiple randomized clinical trials. The effects are comparable to those of traditional pharmaceutical drugs used to treat depression, such as selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor medications.
Findings from the statewide poll included in the report show 57% of New Jersey residents were at least somewhat aware of the medicinal use of psychedelics to treat mental health disorders. Fifty-five percent supported legalizing such treatment under a doctor’s supervision, while 20% opposed it and 24% were unsure.
The research was fueled by a bill recently introduced in the state Senate that, if passed, would “authorize the production and use of psilocybin (for residents who are 21 or older) to promote health and wellness” and allow for the establishment of psilocybin service centers. The bill also would decriminalize psilocybin and expunge past related offenses.
The Hughes Center report evaluates the medicinal use of psilocybin in a controlled setting and does not address recreational or unsupervised use.
“Depression and anxiety are two mental health disorders many people suffer from but not all individuals respond well to traditional forms of treatment,” Ostrofsky said, calling for increased awareness of and education about alternative forms of behavioral health care.
Get our local education coverage delivered directly to your inbox.
{{description}}
Email notifications are only sent once a day, and only if there are new matching items.
The latest stories from The Press of Atlantic City, in case you missed them.
A recent study published in Current Biology reveals that fungi play a significant role in mitigating climate change.
Sign up for a digital subscription to The Press of Atlantic City now and take advantage of a great offer.
Keep it Clean. Please avoid obscene, vulgar, lewd, racist or sexually-oriented language.
PLEASE TURN OFF YOUR CAPS LOCK.
Don’t Threaten. Threats of harming another person will not be tolerated.
Be Truthful. Don’t knowingly lie about anyone or anything.
Be Nice. No racism, sexism or any sort of -ism that is degrading to another person.
Be Proactive. Use the ‘Report’ link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts.
Share with Us. We’d love to hear eyewitness accounts, the history behind an article.
PLEASE BE ADVISED: Soon we will no longer integrate with Facebook for story comments. The commenting option is not going away, however, readers will need to register for a FREE site account to continue sharing their thoughts and feedback on stories. If you already have an account (i.e. current subscribers, posting in obituary guestbooks, for submitting community events), you may use that login, otherwise, you will be prompted to create a new account.
Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device.