In July, 2023 Therapeutic Goods Australia approved the use of hallucinogenic drugs Psilocybin and MDMA by certain qualified healthcare personnel in the treatment of Severe depression and psychotic disorders including post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Both psilocybin and MDMA have been reschedule from schedule 9 to schedule 8 which allows these drugs to be prescribed by qualified Mental Health specialists for treatments of severe depression and PTSD.
The mental health disorders that require multimodal therapeutic approach including pharmaceutical, cognitive, social and other supportive therapies are identified as a potential group of diseases that could benefit from the treatment with one of these psychedelic drugs under very strict prescribing conditions and close supervision and monitoring of mental health condition.
There is mixed level of scientific evidence in terms of longer-term effects and benefits of these drugs when prescribed for the treatment purpose with most studies supporting short terms benefits but unsure about therapeutic benefits when these psychedelic drugs are used for longer term.
Australian Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Practitioners, AMAPP is a voluntary body working towards ensuring that the right governance and policy frameworks are in place to guide the appropriately credentialed and skilled psychedelic practitioner in safe prescription of psychedelic drugs to patients in real need who could benefit from such therapy.
AMAPP also promotes education and training as well as adequate supervision of psychedelic practitioners involved in all three stages of this therapy including preparation, cognitive therapy using psychedelic drugs and integration.
