Iowa House Approves Psilocybin Bill for PTSD Treatment

The Iowa House has passed a bill to legalize psilocybin, the psychoactive compound in 'magic mushrooms,' for supervised psychiatric treatment, especially targeting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The legislation establishes a licensing board within the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services to regulate production and clinical administration of psilocybin, with strict eligibility requirements including a minimum age of 21 and a cap of 5,000 patients. Lawmakers emphasized the program’s potential to provide relief, particularly for veterans and others suffering from PTSD who currently have limited treatment options. All treatments must be administered in a clinical setting under professional supervision. The bill also allows the board to expand qualifying conditions as more evidence emerges and mandates ongoing evaluation of its effectiveness and safety. The measure now moves to the Iowa Senate for consideration.