Half a century ago, I took psilocybin. I’m pretty sure the statute of limitations has run, so I’ll tell you about it. While enjoying life as a ski bum in Aspen, I tried it on the slopes (magical) and, during the following summer, as a catcher in a fast-pitch softball league game (thankfully, I wasn’t in the outfield — I might have wandered off). I even tried it with a friend before seeing the first Star Wars movie in 1977. The only seats left were front row center and believe me, it was quite a ride.

In 1968, Carlos Casteneda published “The Teachings of Don Juan: a Yaqui Way of Knowledge.” According to him, indigenous shamans have been using magic mushrooms for thousands of years to expand their consciousness and spend quality time in the company of our Creator. You don’t want to do this on a bad day or in the wrong circumstances. It is a powerful experience. It can go very wrong. You better have a plan that includes a wingman who understands and appreciates what you are experiencing and isn’t tripping alongside you.

Important caveat: psilocybin remains a federally controlled substance. Colorado is only the second state to allow its therapeutic use, thanks to the citizens who voted for it.

Even so, recent research on the use of “natural medicines” for the treatment of PTSD, chronic mental health issues, addiction and major depressive disorder, indicates it has real potential to help some patients who aren’t benefiting from traditional medical treatments.

Due to this possible effectiveness, the FDA awarded it a “breakthrough therapy designation,” which expedites the development and review of drugs intended to treat serious conditions. Under Colorado’s new regulations, professional therapists and healing centers will be required to screen every patient to discern their reasons for using them, along with the patient’s medical history, current medications and family history. Patients must stay on-site for several hours after treatment, and they must have someone to drive them home.

Unfortunately, the people who may benefit most from natural medicine therapy still may not have access to it. In Oregon, the first state to decriminalize natural medicines, treatment costs between $1,000 and $3,000 per session. Who among our walking wounded, living on the margins of society, can afford this? If psilocybin can “unwire” dysfunctional pathways for them by increasing neural plasticity, we should find a way to cover it.

Ed Byrne, edbyrne@smartlanduse.com

Proposition 122 authorized the state to establish regulations for natural medicine businesses. Local governments can regulate the operation and location of licensed facilities but can’t ban them outright. Prop 122 passed enthusiastically in Boulder County (about 68% in favor compared to 54% statewide) so we are all in, and the City Council’s recent discussion and vote demonstrates that they intend to fully back this new industry.

What’s to like and not like? Pretty much everyone agrees we need more treatment options for mental health and addiction issues, and a “growing body of research is advancing to support the efficacy of natural medicines combined with psychotherapy as treatment” for depression, anxiety and PTSD (text from Colorado’s Natural Medicine Health Act of 2022). Let’s recognize, though, that the science is emerging, not established. Many people already swear by this kind of treatment, but for others, who may be desperate for relief, psychedelics aren’t going to be a safe option.

To that end, since only one other state (Oregon) has legalized these kinds of healing centers, we’ll need to be educated patient-consumers. Anyone considering this type of treatment should find out as much as possible about who will be administering it. It may or may not be reassuring that the Office of Natural Medicine Licensure’s regulations run to 42 pages. There are numerous tiers of facilitators, clinical and non-clinical, accelerated training for “legacy healers,” and more. Healing centers will screen prospective patients but won’t know anything about us (health history, what other medications we’re on, etc.) unless we share it. Again, the burden is on us to approach this with caution and take the time to consult with a provider or therapist about whether this kind of treatment is a good fit.

And on that note, FDA-approved psychedelic therapies are a long way off so these sessions won’t be covered by health insurance. Sessions are likely to cost a few thousand dollars on average making this modality mainly available to those able to pay out of pocket rather than of benefit to society at large.

Healing centers will be regulated and operate like medical offices. These aren’t retail businesses (sorry, no Magic Mushroom Emporium coming anytime soon) so it won’t be like the cannabis shops on every corner but there may still be negative impacts mostly associated with people using psychedelics outside medical supervision, illicitly procured, underage users, etc. Prop 122 included requirements for “public education” and first-responder training — hopefully that will actually happen. As always, we should keep talking to our children and teens about the substances that are out there and reduce harm whenever possible.

Diane Schwemm, parksidediane@gmail.com