this post was submitted on 30 Jun 2023
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229
Australia to prescribe MDMA and psilocybin for PTSD and depression in world first (www.nature.com)
submitted 2 years ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
22 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

In a controversial move, Australia will become the world's first country to allow the drugs psilocybin and MDMA to be prescribed by doctors to treat psychiatric conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder.

MDMA is widely known as the party drug ecstasy, and psilocybin is the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms.

Nations including the United States, Canada and Israel allow individual use of these drugs on compassionate grounds or in clinical trials, but on 1 July Australia will be the first to regulate the drugs as medications, to be prescribed by approved psychiatrists.

Psychiatrists will prescribe the drugs using the TGA's Authorised Prescriber Scheme, which allows registered psychiatrists to prescribe medicines that have yet to be formally included on Australia's register of therapeutic goods.

The TGA says that doctors who prescribe MDMA and psilocybin must follow a code of conduct published by the Medical Board of Australia.

SMMRY

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[–] [email protected] 18 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

approved psychiatrists.

How many of those will there be?

And how many chemists will hold stock? Who even sells it legally?

[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 years ago

From my understanding you wont get a prescription that you take to your chemist, but rather guided therapy sessions while under the influence.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I just heard interview on radio.

Therapist applies with the technique of their research, it is reviewed, if approved the therapist gets a piece of paper to proscribe. It's not cheap, 2 therapists have to present at all times, and sessions can be 8 hours plus prior and posts sessions.

Heard it on ABC.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm guessing you also have to spring for their tickets to the rave/doof/club event as part of the package?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 2 years ago

Yeah, 3 tickets and some pills for the other therapists. Then the drinks for the comedown, maybe some weed to take the edge off.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Not exactly a world first...

MDMA was an anti-depressant/anti-anxiety medication in the 60's. It was only when people started abusing it, it became a scheduled drug.

Edit: In America, anyways...

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 years ago

I used to self administer psilocybin to cope with my debilitating boredom years ago.

[–] [email protected] 16 points 2 years ago

Hopefully a step in the right direction towards a more sensible approach to drugs overall.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 2 years ago

It isn't often I'm proud of my country, but occasionally something good happens. This is one of those occasions. Go, Australia.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 2 years ago

It's happening!

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago (1 children)

Sounds unusually progressive of Australia

[–] [email protected] 10 points 2 years ago

Don't ask about Cannabis.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 years ago

❤️🙏