Is Psychedelic Therapy Legal in New Zealand?

Medical-only: psilocybin is a Class A controlled drug, but since 2025 practitioners may obtain approval under regulation 22 of the Misuse of Drugs Regulations 1977 to prescribe/administer it outside research; first psychiatrist approved (June 2025) for treatment-resistant depression.

MDMA is a Class B controlled drug. A regulation 22 prescription pathway exists in principle (same as psilocybin) but no approvals have been granted for MDMA to date; classed more restrictively pending approval.

Prescription medicine: ibogaine and noribogaine classified as prescription medicines by the Medicines Classification Committee (2009/2010), not controlled drugs; doctors may lawfully prescribe/administer it under supervision and dedicated ibogaine clinics operate.

DMT is a Class A controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975; no general therapeutic pathway.

Mescaline is a Class C controlled drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1975; no therapeutic pathway.

Tracked separately — a prescription medicine, excluded from the blended status.

Medsafe-approved anaesthetic; esketamine (Spravato) approved for treatment-resistant depression; ketamine widely used in anaesthesia/emergency/palliative care.