Testifiers detail positive impacts of psilocybin on treatment-resistant depression
Currently in clinical trials with potential FDA approval in near future
Rep. Jennifer M. O'Mara September 16, 2025 | 3:03 PM
HARRISBURG, Sept. 16 – As Pennsylvanians living with severe mental health struggles continue to try to find treatment that works for them, studies show that new, innovative therapies can help address treatment-resistant depression. The House Majority Policy Committee convened a hearing Tuesday to explore these alternative options and how the state can ensure new treatment availability to patients across the commonwealth as soon as possible.
A livestream of Tuesday’s hearing can be found here.
Early, but promising data shows psilocybin, found in certain species of mushrooms, can safely and effectively treat certain mental health disorders when prescribed and administered by trained and licensed medical professionals. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) could approve psilocybin treatments within the next two years, but Pennsylvania’s current drug scheduling process will delay access to this new therapy.
Rep. Jennifer O’Mara (D-Delaware) has introduced legislation to align Pennsylvania’s drug scheduling laws with FDA approval and DEA decisions. It would apply only to FDA-approved, pharmaceutical-grade psilocybin that must be administered under medical supervision. It would not legalize or decriminalize natural psilocybin.
“I’ve seen firsthand the devastating impacts that depression and mental health disorders can have on people and families. It’s shown me the critical need for innovative therapies. Different people react to different therapies, and those struggling with treatment-resistant depression are left looking for more answers,” said O’Mara. “In some situations, time is of the essence. That’s why it’s so important that we make sure patients have access to new, alternative treatments as soon as it receives FDA approval. This can be a life-saving measure.”
Alternative treatments like psilocybin could be life-changing to those who haven’t found effective therapies. Ryan Gardill, President of the Manheim Township Professional Firefighters, testified about living with PTSI from his Marine Corps service and mental health struggles in the fire service industry. After a failed suicide attempt, Gardill said his life has taken a turn for the better but urged lawmakers to support timely access to approved alternative medicine.
“Firefighters are called day and night to assist the public on their worst day. It is time to assist firefighters on theirs. I fully support the use of any alternative medicine available for the treatment of mental health. Instead of working to live with poor mental health, let’s cure it,” Gardill said.
Psilocybin can also be effective in treating anxiety, migraines, eating disorders and a myriad of other conditions. Brett Waters co-founded Reason for Hope, an organization advocating for access to emerging mental health therapies, after he lost his mother to suicide. Waters struggled with an eating disorder in college but found relief after trying psilocybin. He testified that ensuring affordable, safe and quick access to this therapy could save lives.
Compass Pathways, a biotechnology company that develops psychedelics as potential medicines, created COMP360, a pharmaceutical-grade formulation of psilocybin being studied in robust clinical trials. COMP360 received Breakthrough Therapy designations from the FDA in 2018 and will potentially be the first classic psychedelic to come to market as an FDA-approved product. Ongoing studies from one of the clinical trials show COMP360 was well tolerated and resulted in both rapid and durable improvement in symptoms following a single administration in treating PTSI.
Still, timely access to these treatments is vital. Compass Pathways urged support for O’Mara’s bill, which would require the Pennsylvania Dept. of Health to schedule an FDA-approved formulation of psilocybin in the same manner as the federal Drug Enforcement Administration. The bill requires that following DEA rescheduling, the DOH must act on this directive within five business days, with the final rescheduling occurring 30 days after final publication in the Pennsylvania Bulletin.
“Mental health is healthcare. I’ve seen firsthand the toll depression and anxiety can take on people’s lives. Mental health care must be treated as a necessity, not a luxury,” said Rep. Tarik Khan (D-Philadelphia), Subcommittee Chair of the House Majority Policy Committee. “The testimony we heard today proves we have more work to do to ensure every Pennsylvanian has access to the treatments and support they need, when they need it. That’s work that House Democrats have and will continue to prioritize moving forward.”
Testifiers at Tuesday’s hearing include Ryan Gardill, President of the Manheim Township Professional Firefighters; Brett Waters, Esq., Co-Founder and Executive Director of Reason for Hope; Dr. Daniel Orr, Owner of Eagle Direct Primary Care; Dr. Michael Thase, Professor of Psychiatry at the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania; Ryan Bastle, PhD, MBA, Senior Medical Science Liaison for Compass Pathways; and Tess Bettler, Associate Director of Government Affairs for Compass Pathways.
Testimony submitted for Tuesday’s hearing can be found here.
Information about this and other House Democratic Policy Committee hearings can be found at pahouse.com/policy.