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Wednesday, July 16, 2025

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Seymour announces over-the-counter Melatonin and Psilocybin

Melatonin news

The Government is moving to make melatonin available without a prescription and has authorised the first prescription of medicinal psilocybin outside of clinical trials, Associate Health Minister David Seymour has announced.

In what he called a “commonsense decision,” Seymour said Medsafe has approved melatonin for over-the-counter sale to adults, aligning New Zealand with countries where access is easier.

Melatonin, used to treat sleep disorders and jet lag, has until now been tightly regulated and only approved for those over 55.

Seymour also revealed a milestone in mental health treatment: a New Zealand psychiatrist has been granted special authority to prescribe psilocybin, the active compound in magic mushrooms, to patients with treatment-resistant depression.

Although still classified as an unapproved medicine, Seymour noted that the prescribing doctor has prior experience with psilocybin in clinical trials and will operate under strict oversight. “This is huge for people with depression who’ve tried everything else and are still suffering,” Seymour said, adding that the move brings New Zealand in line with Australia’s use of the substance.

Image credit: Myrian Zilles

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6 COMMENTS

      • Yes smoking cannabis in NZ is still illegal
        Not sure what its got to do with the government
        Like a lot of things unnecessarily prying into peoples lives
        Making it legal would allow the govt to tax take
        And would lower the price
        While providing a valuable service to the community
        A lot more beneficial than the death jabs that were foisted on everybody that’s for sure

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