A clinical study exploring the use of psilocybin, a psychoactive compound found in certain mushrooms, to treat methamphetamine addiction has successfully completed its first phase of trials at Rangiwaho Marae, south of Gisborne, New Zealand.
The Tū Wairua project represents a unique collaboration that integrates Māori cultural practices with psychedelic-assisted therapy. This initiative aims to address the significant issue of methamphetamine addiction within Māori communities by providing a culturally sensitive and holistic treatment approach.
Integrating Māori Knowledge with Psychedelic Therapy
The Tū Wairua project is the first psychedelic clinical trial completed on a marae that applies a psychedelic therapeutic intervention informed by a te ao Māori framework. Jody Toroa, a trustee at Rangiwaho Marae, emphasized the project's goal of developing a foundation for future addiction recovery projects rooted in Māori knowledge. "It’s not only reclaiming our mātauranga, our knowledge, but it’s a path forward to walk together, a foundation for developing the whole, in collaboration with academic research," she said.
The trial process involves three phases: a preparatory phase, a dosing session, and an integration phase. Will Tait-Jamieson, the project coordinator, explained that strict participation criteria ensure the medical fitness of participants. During the dosing session, trained guides provide talking therapy while medical clinicians monitor the process. The integration phase is designed to help participants interpret their experiences and convert them into positive change in their lives.
Collaboration and Resources
The project is a collaborative effort involving Rua Bioscience, rongoā Māori practitioners, Environmental Science and Research (ESR), Auckland and Waikato universities, Manaaki Whenua Landcare Research, Mātai Medical Research Institute, an iwi health provider, the New Zealand Drug Foundation, and other community stakeholders. Rua Bioscience obtained New Zealand's first license to cultivate indigenous fungi for the study.
Dr. Patrick McHugh, lead investigator for the study and based at Mātai Medical Research Institute in Gisborne, noted the lack of effective treatment options for methamphetamine addiction in the Tairāwhiti region. He highlighted the importance of integrating the experience into everyday life for participants in the trial.
Future Directions
Planning and securing resources for the second phase of clinical trials are underway. Toroa indicated that they have applied to the Health Research Council to work with individuals in recovery, citing the overwhelming demand from communities wanting to participate in the trials.
Cautions and Considerations
Dr. Suresh Muthukumaraswamy, a neuropsychopharmacologist from Auckland University working with the Tū Wairua team, cautioned that while psilocybin shows promise, it is not a "silver bullet." He noted potential risks, particularly in non-clinical settings, and emphasized the importance of the psychotherapeutic support surrounding the use of psilocybin.
The Tū Wairua project represents a significant step towards addressing methamphetamine addiction in Māori communities by integrating traditional knowledge with modern medical research. The project hopes to develop a way of healing and assisting whānau in their communities.
