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Colorado is leading the way in the regulation of psychedelic mushrooms, with plans underway to establish the state’s first “healing centers” where supervised ingestion of mushrooms will take place starting in late spring or early summer.

Psychedelic mushrooms have been a Schedule I drug, illegal under federal law except for limited clinical research, until recently. Oregon took the lead almost two years ago in offering regulated access to these mushrooms. Now, Colorado is following suit, and this emerging trend has caught the attention of many across the nation.

Experts are optimistic about the potential therapeutic benefits of psychedelic mushrooms, particularly the psychoactive compound psilocybin, in treating conditions like depression and anxiety, especially in cases where traditional medications or therapies have not been effective.

While the National Institute on Drug Abuse states that the risks associated with mushroom ingestion in a supervised clinical setting are minimal, caution is advised for use outside of such controlled environments. Individuals with a history of psychotic or bipolar disorders should proceed with caution. Adverse effects of psilocybin are typically temporary, lasting a day or two, but prolonged psychological challenges have been noted in some cases.

The recent decriminalization and legalization efforts in Oregon and Colorado have led to an increase in psychedelic mushroom exposures reported to poison control centers. The community is gearing up for these changes, with individuals like Mandy Grace and Amanda Clark, who are actively involved in the therapeutic applications of mushrooms, expressing hope for expanded treatment options.

Colorado’s program, approved by voters through Proposition 122, is modeled after Oregon’s but with some variations. Applications for licenses related to the cultivation, manufacturing, and testing of mushrooms have been pouring in, signaling a growing interest in this field.

Psychedelic treatments are costly, and affordability remains a concern, as sessions can range from $1,000 to $3,000, with limited insurance coverage. To address this issue, healing centers in Colorado plan to offer sliding-scale payment options and discounts to make these therapies more accessible to a wider range of individuals.

Despite the ban on retail sales of psilocybin in Colorado, businesses offering supplies for at-home mushroom cultivation have emerged. Activated Brands, for instance, provides kits and educational resources for individuals interested in growing their own mushrooms, underscoring a shift towards increased access and knowledge in this space.

The cultural and spiritual significance of psychedelic mushrooms is not lost on Colorado lawmakers, who have included provisions in the law to protect Indigenous practices and prevent commercial exploitation. Research on the therapeutic benefits of psilocybin continues to yield promising results, with ongoing trials paving the way for potential FDA approval in the future.

As Colorado navigates this new territory of regulating psychedelics, questions remain about federal oversight and the long-term implications of these programs. The coming years will shed more light on the impact and effectiveness of psychedelic therapies, opening up possibilities for new approaches to mental health treatment.