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In a major stride forward, Australia is shifting the classification of psilocybin and MDMA to permit authorized psychiatrists to begin prescribing them.
Australia is set to become the first country in the world to legalize clinical prescribing of MDMA, better known as ecstasy, and psilocybin — the main psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms — for certain mental health disorders.
“Psilocybin and MDMA are relatively safe when used in a medically controlled setting under the supervision of appropriately trained healthcare professionals and in the dosages that have been studied in clinical trials.”
Research over the past few decades has shown that some Psychedelics that are illicit, but are often used recreationally, are effective in treating certain mental-health disorders when combined with psychotherapy. MDMA is widely known as the party drug ecstasy, and psilocybin is the active ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms. A phase II trial, published late last year, showed that a 25 mg dose of psilocybin was twice as effective as a 1 mg dose in combating treatment-resistant depression. And a report on a phase III trial of MDMA described it as a “potential breakthrough treatment” for PTSD. Psychedelics have also shown potential in treating anxiety, anorexia and substance addiction.
How the Psychedelics will be prescribed?
Started July 1st 2023, authorized psychiatrists are able to prescribe MDMA for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, according to a February news release.
The ability to prescribe medication for serious mental health conditions will be exclusive to psychiatrists due to their specialized qualifications and experience. To gain prescribing approval, a psychiatrist must first receive approval from the TGA under the Authorized Prescriber Scheme after being approved by an official Human Research Ethics Committee. This scheme is put in place with strict protocols that guarantee patient safety at all time.
The TGA says that doctors who prescribe MDMA and psilocybin must follow a code of conduct published by the Medical Board of Australia.
