Health Equity at the Crossroads: Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy and Food Insecurity in Contemporary Public Health

In contemporary public health, mental health and food security are increasingly recognized as interconnected elements of overall well-being. This paper examines two evolving topics that lie at the intersection of healthcare, policy, and social justice: the resurgence of psilocybin-assisted therapy for depression and the ongoing impact of COVID-19 on food security. Though these issues may appear distinct, both reflect broader concerns about access, regulation, and systemic inequality. Drawing on two peer-reviewed journal articles, this paper explores the history, current developments, controversies, and key findings related to both topics. By doing so, it highlights the urgent need for holistic, equitable approaches in addressing mental health treatment and food access in the post-pandemic world.

The therapeutic use of psychedelics such as psilocybin has deep roots in Indigenous cultures of the Americas, where hallucinogenic mushrooms were used in spiritual and medicinal rituals for centuries. Western scientific curiosity in psilocybin exploded in the mid-20th century and fell silent almost entirely since it was categorized as a Schedule I drug during the 1970s. Rigorous clinical research was only re-established in recent decades, overcoming the stigmatization of previous interventions, and giving hope to be considered in the treatment of depression, PTSD, and addiction. Simultaneously, structural inequalities are also the source of the problem of food insecurity: racism, poverty, and poor urban planning. The rise of the food justice movement can be traced as a grassroots response to systemic failures in food distribution, especially in underserved urban areas. These weaknesses were exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, which disrupted the supply chain and enhanced inequalities in food access that existed before the pandemic.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a promising field hindered by legal and ethical challenges. Despite clinical promise, psilocybin has been a Schedule I drug, meaning only those trials that a few have access to are closely regulated. This evokes some concern about equal access to therapy and possible psychological harm once such substances are abused or used without any supervision. In contrast, food insecurity is controversial regarding the policy based on the direction of the government in addressing systemic hunger. This situation was worsened by the pandemic, which increased the rate of unemployment and destabilized food systems. According to Gebeyehu et al. (2023), the COVID-19 impact on food affordability, accessibility, and availability was substantial, mainly in vulnerable groups. There is also criticism of the overreliance on food banks and charitable solutions, with a call for fundamental policy reform to create more sustainable and equitable food systems.

Over the past few years, significant transitions have occurred in both arenas. Psychedelic therapy has also achieved a lot in terms of clinical trials, and some jurisdictions have also moved towards decriminalizing or legalizing psilocybin as a therapeutic tool, e.g., Oregon and some counties in Colorado. The FDA has granted psilocybin "Breakthrough Therapy" status for treatment-resistant depression, streamlining the regulatory process. Haikazian et al. (2023) underscore the growing body of evidence supporting psilocybin’s efficacy. Meanwhile, food security remains a global concern, particularly in the wake of COVID-19. Gebeyehu et al. (2023) found that the pandemic's impact on food systems continues to be felt, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. U.S. policy responses such as expanded “Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program” (SNAP) benefits and support for urban agriculture are steps forward, but structural reforms remain limited, leaving many families vulnerable to future disruptions.

Haikazian et al. (2023) propose an extensive examination using a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies of the efficacy of psilocybin in managing the condition of depression. By analyzing effect sizes, patient demographics, treatment conditions, and outcome measures, the study provides a robust synthesis of current knowledge and supports the compound’s therapeutic potential. On the food insecurity side, Gebeyehu et al. (2023) conducted a systematic review of studies published during the COVID-19 period, examining how food security indicators changed pre- and post-pandemic. The mixed-methods design they carried out enabled them to get a holistic view of the food systems in the whole world, and it showed a stable pattern of issues with food affordability, nutritional value, and access caused by the pressures of the pandemic.

The researchers (Haikazian et al., 2023) concluded that psilocybin-assisted therapy is highly promising because it has shown promising results over placebo therapy in treating major depressive disorder, and even though there are certain minor adverse effects, those are minimal when they are given in controlled settings. The results of the research justify further studies and tell us that psychedelics can become a legitimate alternative to conventional antidepressants. Conversely, Gebeyehu et al. (2023) highlighted the post-COVID-19 effects relating to food insecurity, especially due to marginalized populations. Their results support the idea of more robust food systems that are as resilient as possible in times of crisis, as well as policies that alleviate immediate hunger and the causes of hunger. Both papers point out the importance of a systemic approach and long-term investment in the infrastructural development of public health.

The availability of psychedelic medicine and psychedelic food might appear unrelated, but the two fronts are where systemic injustices have created a source of suffering, and novel responses are being developed. Psilocybin therapy is a shift in paradigm in the mental health area that bridges the gap between ancient wisdom and modern scientific research. At the same time, the strategies that fight food insecurity will require policy change and community capacity building. All in all, these cases indicate the necessity of justice-based, wholesome interventions in public health.