Czech Republic Approves Psilocybin Therapy for Severe Depression, Effective January 2026

Historic Approval for Psychedelic Therapy

The Czech government has officially approved a regulation that will permit psilocybin-assisted therapy for severe depression, with implementation scheduled for January 1, 2026. This landmark decision positions the Czech Republic among the pioneering European nations to integrate psychedelic compounds into medical treatment protocols. The outgoing government gave its approval on December 10, 2025, following earlier legislative steps, including President Petr Pavel's signing of a broader bill in July 2025 that legalized medical psilocybin and eased cannabis restrictions.

Conditions and Scope of Treatment

The new regulation specifies strict conditions under which psilocybin therapy can be administered. It is intended for patients suffering from severe depression who have not responded to standard antidepressant treatments or have demonstrated intolerance to them. Additionally, the therapy will be available for individuals with depression linked to cancer, clinically serious depression without psychotic symptoms, and worsened mental conditions that threaten the patient's life. Patients must be 18 years or older. The Health Ministry highlighted psilocybin's 'low toxicity, minimal to no risk of addiction, and generally high safety' as factors supporting the decision.

Therapeutic Protocols and Oversight

Psilocybin-assisted therapy will be conducted exclusively within psychiatric hospitals and clinics, under the strict supervision of qualified medical professionals. The guidelines, developed by the Psychiatric Society of the Czech Medical Society J. E. Purkyně, stipulate that therapeutic sessions will typically last six hours and require the presence of two qualified therapists who possess both psychiatric certification and specialized training in psychedelic therapy. Synthetic psilocybin will be utilized, with a maximum dosage not exceeding 75 milligrams per month.

Impact and Future Considerations

The approval marks a significant step for mental health treatment in the Czech Republic, where approximately 700,000 people are affected by depression or anxiety. While the initial rollout is expected to reach a limited number of patients due to the specialized nature of the treatment and the current availability of only a few dozen trained specialists, primarily in Prague and Brno, it opens new avenues for those for whom conventional treatments have been ineffective. Outgoing Health Minister Vlastimil Válek praised the decision as beneficial for 'the Czech health system, the expert public and patients.' However, the broader accessibility of this therapy will depend on ongoing negotiations with health insurers regarding coverage, as the cost of a single session can be substantial. Jiří Horáček, director of the National Institute of Mental Health (NUDZ), emphasized that funding arrangements are crucial for wider access.