Morning Briefing
Summaries of health policy coverage from major news organizations
Psychedelic Mushrooms Had Role In Airline Incident, Alaska Pilot Says
The New York Times: Pilot Who Disrupted Flight Said He Had Taken Psychedelic Mushrooms, Complaint Says
An off-duty Alaska Airlines pilot who tried to shut off the engines during a flight on Sunday told investigators that he had been sleepless and dehydrated since he consumed psychedelic mushrooms about 48 hours before boarding and that he had been depressed for a long time, state and federal court documents said. The pilot, Joseph D. Emerson, 44, also told the police in an interview after he was taken into custody that he believed he was having a “nervous breakdown,” according to federal court documents. He said he had struggled with depression for about six years and that a friend had recently died. (Levenson, 10/24)
AP: Off-Duty Pilot Said ‘I’m Not OK’ Before Trying To Cut Engines Midflight, Charging Documents Say
An off-duty airline pilot riding in an extra cockpit seat on a Horizon Air flight said “I’m not OK” just before trying to cut the engines midflight and later told police he had been struggling with depression, according to charging documents made public Tuesday. State prosecutors in Oregon filed 83 counts of attempted murder against Alaska Airlines pilot Joseph David Emerson, 44, on Tuesday. ... An FBI agent wrote in a probable cause affidavit in support of the federal charge that Emerson “said it was his first-time taking mushrooms.” (Rush and Johnson, 10/24)
Also —
King5.Com: How Psychedelic Mushrooms Affect The Brain, Behaviors
Back in June, suspect James Kelly in the Beyond Wonderland shooting at the Gorge also said that he had taken magic mushrooms. Prosecuting attorney documents said, "As Kelly's hallucination 'trip' got going, he began to believe that the world was ending." Prosecutors stated that he proceeded to shoot four people, killing two. How exactly can psychedelic mushrooms affect a person's behaviors? KING 5 checked in with medical experts. (White, 10/24)
Gothamist: What To Know Before You Try Psychedelic Ketamine Therapy In New York City
If you live in New York City, you’ve likely passed or heard of a clinic where ketamine — a hospital anesthetic and psychedelic party drug — is used as a mental health treatment. Locations now operate in the Financial District and Brooklyn Heights. Walk up 5th Avenue and a New Yorker will encounter five clinics off this street alone. (Sloat, 10/24)
