Australian government backs psychedelic drug clinical trials to treat mental illness
The Guardian, March 18, 2021
$15m grant comes despite TGA’s failure to reschedule MDMA and psilocybin from a prohibited substance to a controlled medicine
Former trade minister Andrew Robb supports psychedelic medicines
9 News, March 17, 2021
The use of psilocybin, MDMA and other psychedelic medicines to treat mental illness will soon undergo clinical trials funded by the federal government. It’s backed by former Trade Minister Andrew Robb but not all psychiatrists are convinced.
‘Better treatments’: Government to fund psychedelic drugs trials to treat mental illness
Sydney Morning Herald, March 17, 2021
Clinical trials using psilocybin, MDMA and other psychedelic medicines in potential breakthrough therapies for debilitating mental illnesses will be funded by the federal government as part of global efforts to advance innovative treatments.
Australian War Memorial expansion better invested in psychedelic-assisted therapies research
Canberra Times, March 14, 2021
ACT pill testing advocate David Caldicott has voiced disgust over the $500 million expansion of the Australian War Memorial he said the federal government had “inflicted” on the city, while emerging treatments for post traumatic stress disorder were deemed too hard.
When pills stopped working, Andrew Robb looked to magic mushroom therapy
ABC News, March 11, 2021
When his daily pile of antidepressant pills stopped working, former Liberal Party director and trade minister Andrew Robb began researching psychedelic therapy as an option to send his depression into remission.
Andrew Robb interviewed by James Valentine, ABC Radio Sydney
Afternoons, March 11, 2021
The interview commences at 1 hour and 2 minutes.
Report with Leigh Sales interviewing Andrew Robb AO, Dr Stuart Saker and more
ABC 7.30, March 11, 2021
Leigh Sales interviewing Andrew Robb AO, psychiatrist Dr Stuart Saker and patient on psychedelic-assisted therapies to treat mental illness. The segment commences at 21:45
Suicide warning over denied drugs
The Australian, March 9, 2021
Delaying mental practitioners access to psilocybin and MDMA could result in a spike in suicides amid an ongoing national mental health crisis, according to advocates for psychedelic-assisted therapies.
Demand For Psychedelics On The Up
AJP, March 5, 2021
Results from the latest Global Drug Survey, released on Friday, reveal that more people including Australians are turning to psychedelic medicines to self-treat mental illness and emotional distress.
Former Defence chief calls for rescheduling of psychedelic drugs to treat mental illness, PTSD
ABC News, March 4, 2021
Chris Barrie, a former chief of the Defence Force says psychedelic drugs such psilocybin and MDMA should be rescheduled so they can be used to treat mental health conditions including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Medicinal ecstasy, magic mushrooms for veterans with PTSD blocked by TGA
The Daily Telegraph, February 17, 2021
Medical health specialists have slammed the blocking of medically prescribed psychedelic drugs, including ecstasy, shown to successfully treat PTSD in war veterans.
Health Psychiatrists split over the use of ’shrooms and MDMA to treat mental illness
Crikey, February 12, 2021
The peak body for psychiatrists — whose submission influenced the TGA’s scheduling decision — has come under fire for its conservative position on psychedelics.
An Intro to Psychedelic Assisted Psychotherapy with MMA’s Co-founder Tania De Jong
Is That Soh Podcast, February 12, 2021
Today on the podcast, I have invited award-winning social entrepreneur and co-founder of Mind Medicine Australia, Tania de Jong, to come on the show and talk to us about the power of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapies to treat a wide range of mental illnesses.
The scientists and shamans of psychedelic retreats
ABC News, February 7, 2021
There’s a landmark project underway in Melbourne to find out whether psilocybin can be used to improve end-of-life experiences.
Could Magic Mushrooms and Ecstasy treat mental health issues?
ABC - Afternoons with Sonya Feldhoff, February 4, 2021
The idea of using psychedelic drugs to treat mental illness is one that might catch a few people off guard. Executive Director of Mind Medicine Australia, spoke to Sonya Feldhoff in the lead up to this decision about why her organisation is in support of their use.
The legal and illegal ways people are turning to psychedelics as the drug regulator rejects reclassification bid
ABC News, February 4, 2021
MMA founders expressed disappointment yesterday at the TGA’s desire to wait until current clinical research is complete before the rescheduling of these controversial medicines is considered.
Health regulator to decide on psychedelics
ABC - RN Breakfast with Fran Kelly, February 3, 2021
For the past two years a group of prominent Australians – including a former Howard government minister and a former Australian Defence Chief – have been campaigning for greater therapeutic access to psychedelic drugs.
MDMA and psilocybin not approved for medicinal use in Australia
9 News, February 3, 2021
The TGA chose not to reschedule MDMA and psilocybin from a prohibited substance (schedule 9) to a controlled medicine (schedule 8).
Interview with Admiral Chris Barrie AC and Peter Hunt AM
3AW Radio, February 2, 2021
Listen to the full interview here
TGA to rule on psychedelic medicine access for mental health problems
The Australian, January 28, 2021
A group of prominent Australians is continuing to push for greater access to psychedelic medicines to treat mental health problems, saying the benefits and cost of inaction are impossible to ignore.