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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
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Posted by Hugh on February 3, 2023, at 11:52:57
https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-02-australia-legalise-mdma-magic-mushrooms.html
Australia to legalise MDMA and magic mushrooms for medical use
Australia's drugs watchdog on Friday announced that psychedelic substances MDMA and psilocybin--more commonly known as ecstasy and magic mushrooms--will soon be used in the treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress.
Psychiatrists will be able to prescribe the two substances from July, the Therapeutic Goods Administration said after finding "sufficient evidence for potential benefits in certain patients".
The two drugs are currently "prohibited substances" and can only be used in closely controlled clinical trials.
The administration said they had been found to be "relatively safe" when administered in a medical setting and provided an "altered state of consciousness" that could help patients.
Mike Musker, a mental health and suicide prevention researcher at the University of South Australia, welcomed the move as "long-awaited".
"There are many people in the community experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and depression, particularly army veterans and people who have worked in emergency services, where standard psychiatric drugs have not worked and offer no relief," he said.
Musker said the two drugs "reduce inhibitions" and could help people process difficult images and memories.
For now the use of MDMA and psilocybin will be limited to the treatment of depression and post-traumatic stress.
But advocates hope to one day use them for alcohol dependence, obsessive compulsive disorder and eating disorders.
Psychedelics have been used by indigenous peoples for millennia, but Western researchers only started seriously looking into their potential uses in the middle of the last century.
The drugs became symbols of the counter-culture movement of the 1960s and were banned.
Authorities in Canada and the United States are among those who have already permitted the medical use of MDMA and psilocybin.
Posted by Jay2112 on February 4, 2023, at 18:44:11
In reply to Those lucky Aussies, posted by Hugh on February 3, 2023, at 11:52:57
Just to note...
Currently in the province of British Columbia in Canada, you can possess up to 2.5 grams of **any** drug/substance...yes ANY. The Government of Canada has given this a three year period, and Canada may be the next country to decriminalize possession of ANY drug/substance.
Fingers crossed.
Jay
Posted by Hugh on February 6, 2023, at 15:59:58
In reply to Re: Those lucky Aussies » Hugh, posted by Jay2112 on February 4, 2023, at 18:44:11
I hope it's as successful there as it has been in Portugal.
> Just to note...
>
> Currently in the province of British Columbia in Canada, you can possess up to 2.5 grams of **any** drug/substance...yes ANY. The Government of Canada has given this a three year period, and Canada may be the next country to decriminalize possession of ANY drug/substance.
>
> Fingers crossed.
>
> Jay
Posted by Jay2112 on February 7, 2023, at 23:00:48
In reply to Re: Those lucky Aussies » Jay2112, posted by Hugh on February 6, 2023, at 15:59:58
> I hope it's as successful there as it has been in Portugal.
>
> > Just to note...
> >
> > Currently in the province of British Columbia in Canada, you can possess up to 2.5 grams of **any** drug/substance...yes ANY. The Government of Canada has given this a three year period, and Canada may be the next country to decriminalize possession of ANY drug/substance.
> >
> > Fingers crossed.
> >
> > Jay
>
>Hi Hugh,
Well....I have my doubts. Mostly because of the fact Portugal realized they needed good social programs, and better economic equality. Canada hasn't tackled...even near...those problems yet. :(
Jay
This is the end of the thread.
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