Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Hamas: We renew our pledge to our brave prisoners and their families that they will remain at the heart of our priorities, and we will not rest until the last prisoner enjoys freedom.
Hamas: We are awaiting the final approval of the names ahead of announcing them through the Prisoners’ Media Office.
Hamas: We affirm that we have submitted the lists of Palestinian prisoners according to the agreed-upon criteria within the framework of the agreement.
Gaza Media Office: We urge our people not to move around Al-Rashid and Salah al-Din streets or their surrounding areas.
Gaza Government Media Office: We stress to our Palestinian people the need to exercise maximum caution during their movements and travel.
Guterres: I urge all concerned to abide fully by the terms of the agreement.
Guterres welcomes the announcement of an agreement to secure a ceasefire and the release of captives in Gaza, based on President Trump’s proposal.
Trump to Netanyahu: I will arrive in "Israel" on Sunday and deliver a speech at the Knesset.
Senior White House official to Al Mayadeen: The withdrawal will take less than 24 hours, after which the 72-hour period will begin.
Senior White House official to Al Mayadeen: After the Israeli government approves of the agreement, "Israel" will be required to withdraw to the demarcation line.

TGA approves psilocybin, MDMA for treatment-resistant mental illnesses

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: News websites
  • 3 Feb 2023 14:41
2 Min Read

The use of psychedelics to treat certain mental health issues has been approved by Australia's medical regulator.

  • x
  • A psilocybin capsule displayed. (Associated Press)
    A psilocybin capsule (AP)

After decades of "demonization", psychiatrists in Australia will be authorized to prescribe MDMA --the active element in party drugs like "ecstasy" or "molly" -- and psilocybin beginning in July of this year.

On Friday afternoon, the Therapeutic Goods Administration announced the unexpected announcement.

The drugs will only be authorized to be used in a very limited way and remain otherwise prohibited, but the move was defined as a "very welcome step away from what has been decades of demonization" by Dr. David Caldicott, a clinical senior lecturer in emergency medicine at Australian National University.

Ecstasy is popularly known as 3,4-methylenedioxy-methamphetamine (MDMA), whereas psilocybin is a psychedelic often found in so-called magic mushrooms.

Before they were criminalized, both substances were used experimentally and therapeutically for decades.

Related News

Czech Republic mourns victims of deadly university shooting

US Surgeon General: Loneliness as deadly as smoking

Only specially trained doctors will be able to administer MDMA for PTSD and psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression.

Ecstasy was invented in 1912 as an appetite suppressant, but it wasn't until the 1970s that it was utilized in therapy sessions in the United States.

It arrived in Australia as a party drug in the 1980s and was criminalized in 1987.

It is worth noting that many varieties of magic mushrooms grow naturally in Australia, however possessing or supplying psilocybin is banned.

Caldicott detailed that it had become "abundantly clear" that a controlled supply of both MDMA and psilocybin "can have dramatic effects on conditions often considered refractory to contemporary treatment" and that it would benefit returned servicemen and women from the "Australian defense force" in particular.

Meanwhile, cognitive neuropsychologist Prof Susan Rossell, from Swinburne’s Centre for Mental Health, argued that she still had “a significant degree of caution” about the decision and that further research was needed.

Read more: ‘Every year there was a suicide’: Former Australian soldier speaks up

  • mental illnesses
  • psilocybin
  • MDMA
  • PTSD
  • TGA

Most Read

Tucker Carlson speaks at a memorial for Charlie Kirk, Sunday, September 21, 2025, at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona (AP)

Tucker Carlson: Israeli officers gave orders on Iran inside Pentagon

  • Politics
  • 2 Oct 2025
A Hamas fighter in combat fatigues stands before the ceremony for the handover of Israeli captives to the Red Cross in Nuseirat, central Gaza Strip, Saturday, February 22, 2025 (AP)

Hamas responds to Trump plan, backs Gaza withdrawal, exchange

  • Politics
  • 3 Oct 2025
Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder revealed

Mossad’s secret role in Aldo Moro’s 1978 murder exposed

  • Politics
  • 5 Oct 2025
The Palestinian resistance and the people of Gaza showed that after combating Israeli aggression for two years, they remain victorious in the face of oppression (Mahdi Rteil/Al Mayadeen English)

Al-Aqsa Flood two years on, a tale of victory

  • Politics
  • 6 Oct 2025

Coverage

All
War on Gaza

Read Next

All
An Israeli armored vehicle moves on a street of a local market during a military raid in the West Bank refugee camp of Balata, Wednesday, October 8, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli settlers kill Palestinian youth near Ramallah amid raids

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks during the Moscow format consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow, Russia, Tuesday, Oct. 7, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Iran interested in resuming nuclear talks: Lavrov

International Monetary Fund (IMF) Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva speaks during a news conference at the International Monetary Fund (IMF) headquarters in Washington, April 25, 2025 (AP)
Politics

IMF head flags US budget, Europe Defense spending challenges

Prime Minister of Italy Giorgia Meloni addresses the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Wednesday, Sept. 24, 2025, at UN headquarters (AP)
Politics

Meloni faces ICC complaint over Gaza genocide complicity with Israelis

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS