Starting Saturday, Australian doctors will be able to prescribe MDMA, also known as ecstasy, for PTSD. Meanwhile, psilocybin, the hallucinogenic ingredient in mushrooms, can be used for people with difficult-to-treat depression. The country has added both drugs to its list of approved medicines by the Therapeutic Goods Administration.
Photo: GI
Scientists in Australia were surprised by the move, which was announced in February but came into effect on July 1. One scientist said the move puts Australia “at the forefront of research in this area”.
Medical experts in the US and elsewhere, including Australia, have warned that more research is needed into the effectiveness and risks of psychedelics.
"There are concerns that the evidence is still insufficient and that moving into the clinic is premature. Clinicians who are not qualified or are ill-equipped will not be able to treat it," said Dr Paul Liknaitzky, head of the Monash University Clinical Psychedelic Laboratory.
Mai Anh (according to AP)
Source
Comment (0)