In June of this year, Australia became the first country in the world to legalise the use of psychedelics to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and some forms of depression.

The drug, MDMA, also known as the party drug, ecstasy, is being administered to patients with PTSD by approved psychiatrists. Magic mushrooms are being administered to patients with some forms of depression. Both drugs have hallucinogenic effects.

Mental health researcher at the University of South Australia, Dr Mike Musker said that the use of the drugs would be carefully monitored and that a patient would likely have three treatments over five to eight weeks, with each treatment lasting around eight hours. A therapist would stay with the patient for the entire time. However, he also warned patients not to expect a ‘miracle cure’.

Not everyone is happy about the news, with many scientists and doctors stating that there isn’t enough research done on long-term effects.

Cognitive neuropsychologist at Swinburne University, Professor Susan Rossell is leading the biggest trial on the effects of psilocybin (the active component found in magic mushrooms) in Australia. While she thinks the use of psychedelic drugs for mental health could be useful, she doesn’t think enough research has been done on long-term effects.

While the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) admits that not all is known and that the evidence is unclear, they say: “There are promising signs that controlled therapeutic use of the drugs may improve mental health for some people and that the benefits for some patients… will outweigh the risks”. They have also deemed the drugs as ‘relatively safe’ when used in a ‘medically controlled environment’.

Dr. Musker cautions that he has heard about cases where the patient has actually experienced a ‘bad trip’ and even re-experienced their trauma and urges psychiatrists to be careful when administering the drugs to their patients.