The way forward for the Jamaican psilocybin industry

As awareness of psilocybin treating mental and behavioural conditions gathers steam in Jamaica, consultant psychiatrist Saphire Longmore is of the view that the positive turnarounds experienced by users of the ‘magic mushroom’ needs to be built upon.

“Pun intended, this is an industry that is mushrooming in Jamaica. It is very well established with several operational retreats at various stages and we recently saw where there was an export of Jamaican psilocybin to Brazil for research purposes. More persons are seeking this out as a method – in a non-pharmaceutical way – of treating some maladies,” she assessed of the widening acceptance in the advantageous properties of the natural pro-drug fungi mushroom.

Across her two decades in the medical field, the psychiatrist observed that “psilocybin use in dealing with trauma, unrecognised grief and many formally diagnosed cases that we see in Jamaica, nothing has been [as] effective in my experience when used in a safe environment and space by a practitioner who is adequately trained to do so.”

Dr Longmore was appointed to chair the Jamaica Psilocybin Technical Committee in November 2023. Its seven-person membership includes representatives from the University of the West Indies, Mona, Bureau of Standards Jamaica and five local psilocybin producers Psacred Therapeutics, Rose Hill Apothecary, Looking Glass Farms, Swiss Chemist Limited and Cosmic Mushrooms Limited.

Elaborating on what she envisions as the way forward for the industry here, Dr Longmore told Health she would like to see psilocybin becoming more accessible to persons – particularly from inner city communities plagued with trauma – who might otherwise “not be able to afford the retreat resort settings of how it is usually applied.”

“That would be my hope to see, where practitioners and therapists are given the opportunity to apply these treatments to persons who are so very much affected by trauma in our society.”

Presently, she said high on the agenda for the technical committee is finalising an interim report on work done over the last two years.

“We recognised that whatever administration is in place, post-elections, the work of the committee would still be reflected and continue on from where we left off. Essentially, I would hope that by the end of the year, we would have completed the process of submitting the initial standards for the growth and processing, the therapeutic applications, local and external trade, and the research and development aspects for psilocybin in Jamaica,” she disclosed.

INCREASING INTEREST

For Shontelle Pinch, proprietor of the local-based Swiss Chemist laboratory and psilocybin retail mushroom line Choose Happy, the 10-year outlook for her business puts women’s health studies at its forefront utilising her Happy Cappies branded micro dose capsules.

“We aspire to develop products specifically tailored to the unique needs and challenges faced by women, leveraging scientific research and traditional practices,” outlined Pinch. “We are aiming to establish partnerships with international companies and universities to address issues that have long been under-researched and sidelined.”

She recently returned from Colorado in the United States where she attended the Psychedelic Science conference, the largest global gathering of scientists, therapists, policymakers, advocates and cultural leaders.

Pinch observed that a common thread among participants at the conference were theoretical discussions about potential practices and the future of the psilocybin industry.

“I was present alongside two other companies to share our insights and highlight our collective efforts. It would have been ideal to receive support from the local government. Had the Jamaican Government been involved – sending representatives from the Ministry of Tourism or the Ministry of Wellness – we could have made a stronger impact, showcasing the innovative work we are doing to an international audience. Their support could have amplified our message and demonstrated Jamaica’s commitment to leading in this emerging field.”

Nonetheless, Pinch said she is excited for what lies ahead. “With an increasing interest in alternative therapies, we are committed to delivering high-quality, ethically produced products that resonate with those seeking natural wellness solutions. Listening to our customers and incorporating their feedback will enable us to innovate and expand our offerings effectively,” she surmised to Health.

She said by fostering collaborations and engaging in rigorous studies, “we hope to elevate the conversation surrounding women’s health and ensure that it receives the attention it deserves. This will not only position CHOOSE Happy Jamaica as a leader in this emerging field but also enhance the overall wellness of women in Jamaica and beyond.”

SHORTCOMINGS

Meanwhile her psilocybin producer peer Jason Williams is similarly optimistic of the road ahead for his Cosmic Mushrooms business line.

“Cosmic is in a very good place right now. It’s stable, strong, sustainable and expanding,” he shared. “We’re stepping into a new phase. Our grow facility is now solar-powered, with the atmosphere fully automated, and monitored in real time. We are locked in for optimal growth. The mushrooms are healthy and happy. The more we grow, the more jobs we create, not just in cultivation, but in wellness, (and) culture...”

His five-to-ten-year future plan for Cosmic involves “scaling our system into something modular and much bigger. This entails research and development, retreats, global partnerships, export, and long-term intellectual property. There’s much more fun stuff that we’re not ready to share yet.”

What he is willing to divulge is the in-the-works expansion of the Cosmic product line. “This includes a more affordable range, to expand access and availability. We’re working on a beverage line; something refreshing, light and social. And our first official retreat is in development, connecting people to themselves and nature. This will be launched this year.”

Are there current shortcomings within the industry he believes could be addressed with governmental support?

“The biggest gap right now is education,” Williams responded. “ A lot of Jamaicans still don’t know what psilocybin is, have a stigma against it, or that it’s legal here for us to use...that’s where the Government could really step in and make a difference. We would love nothing more than to be able to educate on a mass scale, but due to certain guidelines on the social media platforms, we can’t speak much on this subject.”

He believes a public awareness campaign, “through the Ministry of Culture perhaps, could shift the entire narrative and help people understand that this is a tool for healing, presence, creativity, and emotional growth.”