From pharmacy to forest

My journey through legal and illegal healing

One thing is certain, David Seymour has stepped up. As Minister for Regulation and Associate Minister of Health, he has been quietly making bold and meaningful changes. Under his leadership, pseudoephedrine-based cold and flu tablets like Sudafed are now available over the counter, melatonin can be purchased without a prescription, and psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, can be legally prescribed by psychiatrists such as Professor Cameron Lacey.

I have spoken before about how fast Sudafed worked for me. Within hours, my flu symptoms were nearly gone. Before pseudoephedrine products were brought back into pharmacies, it would often take over a week, sometimes two, to properly recover. That change alone earned ACT some well-deserved praise in my books and it hasn’t stopped there.

Having melatonin available without a prescription is another major win, especially for people who struggle with sleep. It offers a gentler and more natural option compared to stronger sleep medications like zopiclone, which in my experience can leave you feeling drowsy and hungover the next day. For many New Zealanders, this small change will make a big difference.

For paying subscribers — A personal reflection on depression and psychedelic therapy

Now I want to share something a bit closer to home, which I am including for educational purposes. I live with chronic depression and anxiety, and I have tried many different treatments over the years. Unfortunately, my depression is treatment-resistant. Nothing has helped. I have been prescribed many types of medication, all without real success.