With New Jersey lawmakers considering legalization for medicinal use of psilocybin, better known as “magic mushrooms,” a growing body of research shows the therapeutic benefits of the psychedelic drug in treating mental health issues, like anxiety, depression and PTSD.
Justin Ostrofsky, professor of psychology at Stockton University, led a team of researchers who studied the effectiveness of psilocybin and also public support for its legalization.
In an interview with NJ Spotlight News, Ostrofsky said, “What we found was one or two doses of psilocybin under professional supervision has impressive, long-lasting and immediate effects. A lot of these clinical trials have shown that just one or two sessions of taking psilocybin can reduce depression and anxiety for up to six months, if not even years later.”
A bill to legalize medicinal psilocybin got a hearing before the Senate Health, Human Services and Senior Citizens Committee on Thursday, as supporting lawmakers try to build the framework for a statewide program.
An award-winning journalist, Briana Vannozzi serves as the anchor for NJ Spotlight News. She’s worked in several capacities since joining the news division in 2012, as interim anchor and senior correspondent after years of general assignment reporting as a multimedia journalist. Vannozzi began her television journalism career by cutting her teeth on New Jersey State House politics for New Jersey Network News. And later as a news radio correspondent at FM News 101.9 in New York City. A Burlington County native, she’s honored to be serving and covering her home state.
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