The psychedelic drug psilocybin shows promise as a new treatment for mental health conditions such as severe depression, substance abuse and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), but that does not mean it is risk-free. 

The hallucinogenic properties of psilocybin, the active compound in “magic mushrooms”, carry substantial risks of harmful side-effects and its safety and efficacy as a medical treatment has not yet been proven, the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) warns. 

The caution advised by SASOP, as the professional body for psychiatry in SA, comes amid growing calls from public activists for de-criminalisation of psychedelics, court challenges to their status as illegal substances, and limited legalisation in a few countries for controlled medical purposes. 

Psychiatrist Dr Bavi Vythilingum, member of the South African Society of Psychiatrists (SASOP) explains more.