Daniel Okoro
Psychedelic science & law writer
Based in Perth, WA
I write our psychedelic-science and regulation pieces, which means being very precise about what the law actually allows. Trained in neuroscience comms. I play jazz piano poorly but happily, lose at chess online, and read too many papers.
26 published articles · most recent July 5, 2026
Articles by Daniel Okoro
The 2023 Australian Down-Scheduling of PsilocybinAustralia's 2023 psilocybin rescheduling created a narrow legal pathway under the TGA. Here's what actually changed — and what didn't.
Psychedelics and Drug Interactions (Educational)Psilocybin remains Schedule 9 prohibited in Australia outside narrow AP pathways. Here's what the research says about psychedelics and drug interactions.
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy: The Supervised Clinical ModelPsilocybin remains a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia outside a narrow clinical pathway. Here's what the supervised model actually looks like.
MDMA-Assisted Therapy and Its Australian Regulatory StatusMDMA sits at Schedule 8 in Australia under a narrow 2023 TGA ruling. Here's what that actually means legally, and what the research says.
Ketamine in Medicine: Regulatory and Clinical ContextKetamine sits in a legally complex space in Australia — Schedule 8 controlled drug in medicine, with a growing research profile. Here's what the regulation actually says.
The Authorised Prescriber Pathway for PsilocybinPsilocybin remains Schedule 9 prohibited in Australia — but the Authorised Prescriber pathway created a narrow legal route in 2023. Here's how it works.
The Difference Between Decriminalisation and LegalisationDecriminalisation and legalisation mean very different things under Australian law. Here's what those terms actually describe — and why the distinction matters.
LSD: Science and Legal Status (Educational Overview)LSD sits at Schedule 9 in Australia — a prohibited substance. Here's what the science and law actually say, without the mythology.
Australia vs the World: Psychedelic Regulation ComparedAustralia moved faster than most on psilocybin regulation — but the global picture is complex. Here's how the frameworks actually compare.
Psilocybin: What It Is and Its Legal Status in AustraliaPsilocybin is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia — possession is a criminal offence. Here's what the compound is, how it works, and what the law actually permits.
A History of Psilocybin in ResearchPsilocybin is a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia. This is a history of how it moved from ceremonial use to clinical research — and what the law says now.
Placebo Challenges in Psychedelic ResearchPlacebo controls are the backbone of clinical research — but in psychedelic trials, participants almost always know when they've taken the real thing. Here's why that matters.
DMT and Ayahuasca: Legal Status in AustraliaDMT and ayahuasca are Schedule 9 prohibited substances in Australia. Here's what the law actually says, and what the science describes.
Contraindications Discussed in Clinical Psychedelic ResearchPsilocybin remains Schedule 9 in Australia outside specific AP pathways. Here's what clinical research says about contraindications — and why they matter.
Microdosing: What the Term Means (and the Law in Australia)Microdosing is a term with a specific scientific meaning — and in Australia, psilocybin remains Schedule 9 prohibited outside tightly regulated clinical settings.
Psilocin: The Active MetabolitePsilocin is the active metabolite behind psilocybin's pharmacological effects. Here's what the chemistry actually shows — and what Australian law says.
Tolerance and PsychedelicsPsilocybin remains Schedule 9 in Australia outside strict AP pathways. Here's what neuroscience research tells us about how psychedelic tolerance actually works.
The Default Mode Network and PsychedelicsThe default mode network quietens during psilocybin exposure — here's what the neuroscience actually shows, and what Australian law says about it.
Psilocybe Mushrooms: Botany and Identification RisksPsilocybe mushrooms are Schedule 9 prohibited in Australia. Here's what the botany actually looks like — and why identification carries serious legal and safety risks.
Risks and Safety Considerations of PsilocybinPsilocybin remains Schedule 9 prohibited in Australia outside strict AP pathways. Here's what the science says about its risk profile — and what the law actually allows.
How Psilocybin Interacts With Serotonin (5-HT2A) ReceptorsHow psilocybin interacts with serotonin receptors: a plain-English look at psilocin, 5-HT2A binding and why Australian law still applies to all of it.
Set and Setting: A Research ConceptSet and setting explained: where the concept came from, how psychedelic researchers use it, and what Australian law says about psilocybin and MDMA.
Why Self-Medicating With Psilocybin Is Illegal in AustraliaPsilocybin remains a Schedule 9 prohibited substance in Australia. Here's what the law actually says, why self-medicating is a criminal offence, and how the Authorised Prescriber pathway works.
How Psychedelic Clinical Trials Are DesignedHow psychedelic clinical trials are designed in Australia, from blinding and set and setting to safety monitoring, ethics review and Schedule 9 rules.
What the Evidence on Microdosing Actually ShowsThe evidence on microdosing psilocybin is mixed, and the legal risk in Australia is real. Here is what the research does and does not actually show.
The Global Regulatory Landscape for PsychedelicsThe global regulatory landscape for psychedelics compared: how Australia's Schedule 9 position sits against the US, Canada, the Netherlands and Portugal.