New Mexico to launch psilocybin therapy program this year ahead of schedule

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veggie

Registered: 07/25/04
Posts: 18,892

New Mexico to launch psilocybin therapy program this year ahead of schedule

#29659976 - 09/02/26 03:27 PM (14 hours, 48 minutes ago)

New Mexico to launch psilocybin therapy program this year ahead of schedule
September 2, 2026 - KOB

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-BVjlOJp45M

SANTA FE, N.M. — New Mexico is launching a program using a powerful type of therapy that has been described as a game changer for treating addiction and PTSD.

The New Mexico Department of Health is planning to launch its psilocybin-assisted therapy program in December. It’s a full year before the deadline set by state lawmakers but leaders say there is already a line of patients and providers ready to get involved.

How can it work?

The emerging treatment harnesses the neurological properties of “magic mushrooms.”

“Psilocybin itself helps to allow for the plasticity of the brain. So it helps the brain to essentially ease up on some of those pathways. And they’re then able to change their behavior, their thinking pattern to be able to help them,” said Dr. Dominick Zurlo, director of NMDOH Center for Medical Cannabis and Psilocybin. “The results on it have been absolutely astounding with how much it has helped people who have severe issues like PTSD, depression and who are in end-of-life care.”

The treatment helped Bernalillo County firefighter Paul Walton.

“A lot of people equate it to years of therapy in one or two sessions or something like that. And I can say that that’s probably true for myself anyway,” Walton said.

Walton traveled to Oregon to undergo a psilocybin treatment after years of traditional therapy did little to help his anxiety, depression, and PTSD. As a firefighter, he encountered traumatic events and held on to the heavy emotions associated with it.

The treatment allowed him to let go.

“It was just incredible leaps and bounds. Maybe because it really kind of made me look at things in a different perspective. I felt better about myself. I love myself a lot differently than I used to,” Walton said.

How will it be regulated? What is its future?

Zurlo is helping craft the rules for the state’s psilocybin-assisted therapy program. Because it is a mind-altering substance, the psilocybin will be tightly regulated.

“Now that won’t necessarily mean we have a full program at that point but at least that we can start helping people who need it,” Zurlo said. “Patients are not able to obtain it separately. This will be being done in healing centers with licensed providers. They’ll be in a therapeutic atmosphere, so think of a relaxing room.”

Trained therapists will be there, the experience is largely internal – according to Walton.

“I think that with this program, we can really help heal a lot of people here,” said Walton, who launched the nonprofit, Firefighters for Plant Medicine, to encourage other first responders to consider the treatment.

Researchers have said psilocybin therapy can also help curb longstanding addictions but the drug doesn’t do all the work for you. Zurlo and Walton both said integrative therapy is needed after the experience to really lock in any progress.

While they expect to finalize the new rules for providers in October, cultivators and producers can apply for a license right now.

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