Regulatory ambiguity and governance challenges for psilocybin mushrooms in Brazil
International Journal of Drug Policy February 18, 2026 Marcel Nogueira, Solimary García-Hernández, Gleicy Sotéro Roberto et al.
The legal status of psilocybin mushrooms in Brazil is ambiguous, creating legal uncertainty and arbitrary enforcement despite growing global interest in their therapeutic and ceremonial use. This commentary argues that a coherent regulatory approach must integrate scientific evidence, Indigenous knowledge, and ethical governance. It draws on academic literature, media reports, jurisprudence, and insights from ayahuasca regulation. The authors emphasize the need for Indigenous leadership in decision-making and protection of traditional knowledge, consistent with international frameworks like the World Health Organization's Global Traditional Medicine Strategy and the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. They call for formal deliberative spaces by ANVISA and CONAD to develop evidence-based, culturally sensitive policies.