The tide is still not changing despite the antidepressants or years of counselling.
By Rebecca Rivas, Missouri Independent
In hopes of helping veterans facing mental health issues, Missouri lawmakers are once again pushing legislation that would require the state to conduct a study on using psilocybin—also known as “magic mushrooms”—to treat depression, substance use or as part end-of-life care.
The House has overwhelmingly supported the concept in the House in the year 2023. The bill never got to the Senate.
When they heard the original proposal, many members of House Veterans Committee were against it. The research that the House Veterans Committee has done over the past few years, however, has led to a change in their opinions.
This includes the studies conducted by researchers in psychiatry at Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis. They were among the first Missourians to administer psilocybin legally in 2019.
Researchers have studied the effects of psilocybin on certain brain networks using brain-imaging techniques.
Richard West, a Republican State Rep. from Wentzville who is a former officer of the law, was initially sceptical about this bill.
West added, “I believe 100 percent in this treatment since I’m here to show it today.”
Stephen Webber, a Democratic State Senator from Columbia in North Carolina has introduced a companion measure to the Senate.
At Monday’s meeting, several legislators expressed their passion for the progress of this study. Michael Johnson, a Kansas City Democrat state representative who served during Operation Desert Storm.
Johnson stated, “I wish we had known more or this technology was available back then. I have seen first-hand the negative effects of war on many of my comrades.” Some have taken their own lives, because they did not have the opportunity to use something similar.
According to this bill, the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services must provide funding totaling 3 million dollars for the research. However, the money is only available if the legislators approve the budget.
State would work with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to conduct the study in Missouri. Treatment is aimed at veterans with post-traumatic-stress disorder, depression, or addiction disorders.
Veterans in Missouri have a suicide rate that is almost twice as high as the rate for the entire state and among the nation’s highest.
The veterans shared their stories with the committee. John Hernandez, a retired Marine who is the CEO of EagleCrest Recovery, a drug treatment center where 75 percent his clients are diagnosed with PTSD, spoke out in support of this bill on Monday night.
He said that if one looks at the rates of relapse and recovery, it is clear that “the current treatment model just doesn’t work.” Although antidepressants or years of therapy may be beneficial, they are not enough to turn the tide. We are excited that Missouri may be the United States’ leader in providing treatment.”
First published in Missouri Independent.
A new study says that Psilocybin assisted therapy is effective in treating methamphetamine addiction.
Photo courtesy of Wikimedia/Mädi.