Australia has become the first country to recognize that the psychedelic substances MDMA and psilocybin can be used to treat mental illnesses in certain special cases.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia has approved MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy) and psilocybin, the psychedelic compound found in magic mushrooms, which will be classified as Schedule 8 drugs – meaning they are to be used restrictively and only when prescribed by a psychiatrist.
Magic mushrooms contain the psychedelic compounds MDMA and psilocybin.
This regulation will take effect from July, after the TGA acknowledged the lack of options for patients suffering from treatment-resistant mental illnesses, according to a report by the Sydney Morning Herald on March 3.
This approval allows for the use of MDMA to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and psilocybin to be used for treatment-resistant depression. These substances remain banned for other purposes.
The TGA stated that only psychiatrists, who have the expertise to diagnose and treat serious mental health issues, can prescribe these substances. Additionally, doctors must also be assessed and approved by the TGA beforehand.
However, the TGA has not approved any products containing MDMA or psilocybin. This means that doctors will have to use unapproved medications for specific cases under the law.
MDMA was developed in 1912 and gradually began to be used in therapy sessions in the United States. It was banned under criminal law in Australia in 1987, according to The Guardian.
Stephen Bright, director of the charity organization studying psychedelics in science and medicine, stated that this move makes Australia the first country to recognize psychedelics as a form of therapeutic medicine.
However, he believes that the TGA’s guidelines are still quite limited. “There are no products available, and besides myself and a few colleagues, not many are trained for this,” he remarked.
Meanwhile, Professor Susan Rossell, a cognitive neuroscientist, expressed caution regarding this decision.
“These treatment therapies have not been sufficiently evaluated for widespread implementation. We lack data on long-term outcomes, which makes me concerned,” she said.
