Tū Wairua is a Māori health science collaboration led by Rangiwaho Marae, based south of Gisborne. The collaboration includes a network of rongoā Māori practitioners, Rua Bioscience (the first company licensed in Aotearoa NZ to cultivate Psilocybe mushrooms), ESR (Institute of Environmental Science and Research), University of Auckland, University of Waikato, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Mātai Medical Research Institute, iwi health provider Turanga Health and other community stakeholders. The collaboration aims to unlock the therapeutic potential of psilocybin found in indigenous varieties of ‘magic mushrooms’, which has been used in traditional medicine in Aotearoa and around the world for thousands of years. Psilocybin has shown promise in preliminary studies for treating various mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. The Tū Wairua project has secured ethical and regulatory approval for Phase I clinical trials initially involving healthy adults to demonstrate the safety of psilocybin, with the intention in Phase II trials is to help people affected by methamphetamine and other addictions.

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound produced by more than 200 species of fungi. In general, the effects include euphoria, visual and mental hallucinations, changes in perception, distorted sense of time, and perceived spiritual experiences.

Only the ten varieties endemic to Aotearoa are being considered for this kaupapa. The initial licence allows for one variety, a request has been submitted to add more species.

A local GP and nurse are involved in the research design and planning, and medical doctors and health researchers from the School of Medicine at the University of Auckland and the University of Waikato have been supporting the development of the research programme. A medical doctor will be involved in prescribing during the clinical trials, including the pre-screening and post-session follow-up consultations.

A number of rongoā practitioners are involved in the development of the clinical research programme and will participate in the clinical trials, providing guidance and support to participants.

Section 2(e) of the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975 lists prohibited plants, included in this list is: “any fungus of the genera Conocybe, Panaeolus, or Psilocybe from which a controlled drug can be produced or which contains a controlled drug.”

Section 8 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977 provides for the licenced cultivation of prohibited plants (including fungi producing psilocybin, except for two species).

• See the post on why we think psilocybin may help with methamphetamine addiction.
• Psilocybe mushrooms have potential medical uses in the treatment of mental illnesses and disorders such as depression, anxiety, alcoholism and PTSD, and potential therapeutic uses for things like counselling and even grief.
• Numerous studies have been carried out (most notably by Prof David Nutt and Imperial College, London) into the usefulness of Psilocybe mushrooms, particularly in the treatment of depression. The findings of these studies show a high correlation between controlled psilocybin experiences and the lessening of depression in subjects, sometimes from as little as one psilocybin experience.
• Studies have also shown a correlation between microdosing psilocybin (consuming a dose far smaller than that which would produce psychedelic effects) and the treatment of less serious conditions like migraines and cluster headaches.
• In February 2023, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, announced that from July 1, 2023, psilocybin will be medically accessible and regulated for psychiatric use in treatment-resistant depression (TRD). The New Zealand government generally follows regulatory changes in Australia, but is yet to make similar changes here.

• Psilocybin is not considered addictive as it does not produce compulsive drug-seeking behaviour.
• Psilocybe mushrooms seem to have a very low potential for addiction in humans. There have not been any significant cases of people becoming detrimentally addicted to mushrooms.
• Psilocybin molecules have not been seen to change the supply of any endogenous neurotransmitters, nor do they affect activation of neural receptors through the use of the brain’s existing supply of neurotransmitters (like cocaine or MDMA do). Instead, psilocybin molecules seem to mediate their effects through activating 2A serotonin receptors while leaving the brain’s existing supply of serotonin untouched. This prevents the potential for upregulation or downregulation of neurotransmitters, and therefore strongly negates the potential for physical addiction.
• The body has a high tolerance for repeated use of Psilocybe mushrooms. A user consuming psilocybin one day would have a far diminished effect consuming the same amount the next day. The body’s ability to quickly create a high tolerance for psilocybin means there is a low potential for addiction.

• Hallucinogens including psilocybin have been classified as safer than vaping in this paper by New Zealand’s leading drug harm experts.
• The UK Independent Scientific Committee on Drugs ranks psychedelic mushrooms very low on the harm scale and said that, unlike many other recreational drugs, psilocybin is fairly non-toxic.
• Psilocybin should not be mixed with any other illicit drugs, alcohol or nicotine. Drug combinations can be unpredictable, dangerous and potentially even fatal.