About this episode

The episode discusses the potential effectiveness of luvesilocin, a psychedelic substance, in treating postpartum depression.

Nearly one in five new moms experiences anxiety or depression during pregnancy or after giving birth. These conditions can lead to difficulty bonding with a newborn, or a higher risk of suicide, if left untreated. But a new experimental treatment is giving some researchers hope. It's a psychoactive substance derived from mushrooms called luvesilocin. In a recent set of FDA trials , a single dose of luvesilocin turned out to be highly effective – and worked more quickly – in improving patients' postpartum depression and anxiety. Dr. Camille Hoffman is an OB-GYN and Professor of Maternal Fetal Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz. She helped oversee an early clinical study of luvesilocin, and wrote about it for The Conversation . Hoffman spoke with Erin O'Toole about what researchers found, and why luvesilocin may be a promising alternative to psychotherapy or prescription drugs that are often used to treat postpartum depression. * * * * * Sign up for the In The NoCo newsletter: Visit KUNC.org Questions? Feedback? Story ideas? Email us: NOCO@KUNC.org Like what you're hearing? Help more people discover In The NoCo by rating the show on your favorite podcast app. Thanks…

People in this episode

Host: Erin O'Toole

Guest: Dr. Camille Hoffman

Topics covered

• postpartum depression
• psychedelics
• luvesilocin
• mental health
• FDA trials

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: University of Colorado Anschutz, KUNC

Products: luvesilocin

More episodes of In The NOCO

• Why some Colorado ski resorts are storing snow under a blanket this summer · July 21, 2026 · 9 min
• Staying close to home for your summer vacation? Take a spin on these Colorado highways · July 16, 2026 · 9 min
• For decades, this doctor has tracked the things that poison or kill Coloradans. Here what’s changed · July 15, 2026 · 9 min
• How to keep yourself healthy when wildfires pollute Colorado’s air · July 14, 2026 · 9 min
• Why news about the 2030 Winter Olympics caused heartbreak among some of Colorado’s top winter athletes · July 10, 2026 · 9 min
• Colorado recently got the majority of its energy from renewable sources for the first time. Here’s how it happened · July 9, 2026 · 9 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the In The NOCO podcast page.