On June 20th, World Psychedelic Day, we acknowledge a new era of well-informed viewpoints on the therapeutic benefits of both contemporary psychedelic substances and traditional plant remedies.
The current “Psychedelic Renaissance” is a result of the serious, committed work of thousands of scientists, therapists, individuals, and organisations challenging the distortions brought about by prohibition and the War On Drugs. 620 honours the Indigenous wisdom and frontier science that have contributed to this movement. World Psychedelic Day – 620 combines social and mainstream media, online discussions, live events, art initiatives, and music to spread the word about the therapeutic and life-improving potential of psychedelics when used responsibly.
In 10 days, Australia becomes the first country to recognise psychedelics as medicines, paving the way for a paradigm shift in Healthcare. The Therapeutics Goods Administration will be down-scheduling Psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and MDMA for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) to a schedule 8 substance meaning it can be prescribed by specifically authorised psychiatrists for the treatment of certain mental health conditions. The decision opens doors for exploring the therapeutic potential of plant medicines in addressing various mental health conditions.
When asked about the down-scheduling of psilocybin and MDMA in Australia Professor David Nutt Head of Neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, said. “This is a landmark day for the tens of thousands of Australian families who are blighted by depression and PTSD as they will have access to powerful new treatments with unique mechanisms of action. And congratulations to Australia for leading the world in this vital treatment innovation.”
A number of research and trials have been conducted and the results from these trials have shown significant reductions in depression and anxiety when compared with a placebo. In a research conducted by Prof David Nut where images of participants’ brains before and after a dose of magic mushrooms were taken, showed what Prof David Nutt, from the Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research, described as a brain reset. The brain scans showed that psychedelics induced a connectivity, where different brain regions communicated with each other much more, revealing new ways of thinking. Further studies conducted with patients with advanced-stage cancer have demonstrated that psilocybin may also be beneficial at reducing depression and anxiety associated with psychological crises due to a terminal diagnosis.
Miguel Martin, psychonaut and host of Finding Gratitude Podcast, stated, “Having been diagnosed with cancer at an early age of 24 and relapsing at 26. Psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, helped me deal with the anxiety and depression that comes with facing death. It could even be the catalyst to my healing process that ultimately healed me from cancer. But I was holding a risk of facing criminal charges every time I had to access the medicine, something that I believe we have to fix. I hope for further down-scheduling in the near future so these medicines can be more accessible for the people that need it.“
By granting recognition to psychedelics as medicines, Australia is paving the way for extensive research, clinical trials, and ultimately the integration of these substances into mainstream healthcare. This groundbreaking decision has the potential to positively impact millions of lives and foster a more compassionate and holistic approach to mental health treatment.
Tania De Jong, Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia said, “Australia now has a chance to lead in drug policy reform and ensure that medicines used in a safe and supported set and setting become available and accessible to the increasing number of Australians who are suffering with depression, anxiety, PTSD, addictions and many other conditions. We have a major mental health crisis and need to act urgently to alleviate the immense suffering in our families, workplaces and communities.”
Alec Zammitt, a prominent member of the cannabis activist group Who Are We Hurting, stated, “This historic decision by Australia to recognise psychedelics as medicines is a giant leap forward in dismantling the stereotypes and misconceptions surrounding these plants. It is a testament to the growing recognition of the therapeutic value of plant medicine and its potential to bring about positive change in mental health treatments.”
“I’m thrilled to see Australia recognize psychedelic therapy,” said Agnes Horry, a prominent psychedelic influencer @psychedelictherapyclub on Tiktok and advocate. “While I still believe in the healing power of magic mushrooms in shaman-led ceremonies, this breakthrough is monumental. She states, “I am delighted that individuals struggling with mental health challenges now have the option to explore psychedelic alternatives. This inclusion marks a significant advancement in providing alternative treatments for conditions like depression and PTSD.”
David Ettershank Member of the Victorian Legislative Council stated, “We have now recognised the medicinal qualities of cannabis and it is positive that we are doing the same for psilocybin. The American food and drug authority is on the brink of approving MDMA after years of testing and good to see Australia doing the same. One hopes it will be a treatment that becomes widely available to patients who need it especially our veterans and first responders suffering from PTSD”
The down-scheduling from the TGA may be seen as a complete solution however there is still a long way to go in making these medicines more accessible, especially for patients like Miguel who received a vast amount of benefit from his psilocybin experiences.
Nonetheless, we applaud Australia for making this decision, which emphasises the urgent need for continued efforts to destigmatise and unlock the therapeutic potential of these natural medicines.
Related links:
www.mindmedicineaustralia.org
https://www.tiktok.com/@psychedelictherapyclub
www.crazeco.com.au
