Breaking New Ground: Marae-Based Psilocybin Study Offers Hope for Methamphetamine Addiction
Ralph "Raef" Baard
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A recent story from Radio New Zealand truly resonated with me. With deep respect and love for the Māori people, I feel compelled to share this incredible initiative. You can read the original story here:?Marae-Based?Study?intoPsychoactive?Mushrooms?for?Treating?Methamphetamine?Addiction. This groundbreaking study offers hope for addressing methamphetamine addiction—a crisis not only in New Zealand but in many countries around the world. It’s inspiring to see the natural world providing answers through the powerful potential of these traditional medicines. I wholeheartedly wish everyone involved in this study success and healing on their journey.
Extraordinary Entheogenics
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A Pioneering Study
A pioneering clinical trial based at Rangiwaho Marae near Gisborne, New Zealand, has completed its first phase, exploring the use of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in mushrooms, to treat methamphetamine addiction. This innovative study is part of a growing movement to address addiction and mental health challenges using indigenous knowledge and cutting-edge science.
A Community in Need
Methamphetamine addiction, alongside mental illness and PTSD, has deeply impacted communities across New Zealand. Jody Toroa, a trustee at Rangiwaho Marae, expressed the urgency driving the project: “These challenges are an epidemic in our communities. We’ll do anything to help our whānau. Meth is devastating so many families, and we’re ready to awhi (help).”
The study, conducted in partnership with biotechnology company Rua Bioscience, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, the Institute of Environmental Science and Research (ESR), and Mātai Medical Research Institute, focuses on the therapeutic potential of?Psilocybe weraroa,?a local indigenous fungus containing psilocybin.
The Trial Process
Dr. Patrick McHugh, lead investigator from Mātai Medical Research Institute, outlined the process for the first cohort of participants. The trial consisted of three key stages:
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The study has sparked hope in the community, with many families expressing interest in future trials. Planning is already underway for the next phase, which will focus on individuals in recovery.
Reclaiming Mātauranga
For the team at Rangiwaho Marae, the research isn’t just about treating addiction. It’s also about reconnecting with traditional mātauranga (knowledge) of the taonga species. For the first time, the marae whānau located the indigenous fungus on their whenua, reaffirming its sacred significance.
Toroa emphasized the importance of environmental stewardship in the region of Tairāwhiti, where environmental health directly impacts community well-being. “As a ropū, we hope to develop a way of healing that honors both our people and our environment.”
A Path Forward
The Tū Wairua collaboration represents a significant step in blending indigenous wisdom with modern medical research to address addiction in culturally meaningful ways. With the first phase completed, the team remains optimistic about the future and the potential for psilocybin-assisted therapy to transform lives.
As Toroa put it,?“We’re developing a way to heal and assist our whānau in their communities, combining the best of science and tradition.”
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