‘Should I take party drugs such as MDMA as medicine?’

A popular party drug is being used on people with mental health issues – and these new treatments are gaining traction.

Welcome to Ask Doctor Zac, a weekly column from news.com.au. This week, Dr Zac Turner explains the potential of so-called ‘party drugs’ in mental healthcare.

QUESTION: Hi Dr Zac, Why are doctors starting to use party drugs as medicine? I’ve read online that doctors in Australia are starting to prescribe mushrooms and MDMA for mental health disorders. I’ve had fun taking these drugs at parties but never thought they would be useful in medicine, especially because of the comedown afterwards; how can that be good for mental health? I know medical marijuana and CBD oils are starting to take off, but what’s the future for these other drugs? How would someone be prescribed these drugs? I’m asking for a friend of course. – Caleb, Coffs Harbour

ANSWER: This topic certainly is fascinating. It’s also one that is very new to the medical world, and has certainly divided medical practitioners who were educated in different decades let alone generations. The question really is: Is it MDMAmazing or MDMAwful?

Let me just start by saying these drugs aren’t being prescribed like your run-of-the-mill pharmaceuticals. Pharmacies won’t overnight become trap houses servicing Australia’s club scene. For the most part, MDMA and Psilocybin mushrooms are being used as treatments in controlled environments with highly specialised medical practitioners present. Not exactly the right conditions for a doof!

MDMA and Psilocybin mushrooms are being used as treatments in controlled environments. Picture: iStock

It’s also important to note that any drugs used in excess, high doses and/or without supervision can be harmful and can affect important parts of the body. For a doctor to be able to prescribe this medicine, they must undergo rigorous training and be approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). There’s only a handful in the country that can actually prescribe them.

From July 1, 2023, Australia allowed the prescription of MDMA and psilocybin by authorised psychiatrists for treatment-resistant mental illnesses. So for someone to be prescribed these drugs, they should’ve already exhausted all treatment options. Your friend will unlikely be prescribed this medication, at least as a first line therapy at this stage.

Psilocybin mushrooms, known commonly as magic mushrooms or mushies, are part of a loosely grouped class of drugs called psychedelic drugs. Depending on the dose, they are able to induce altered thoughts and sensory perceptions. Psychedelics induce the brain to allow a reset to take place and permit alterations in previously ‘stuck’ ways of feeling and thinking about things.

Psychedelics induce the brain to allow a reset to take place and permit alterations in previously ‘stuck’ ways of thinking and feeling. Picture: iStock

Connections in the brain can be shut off for a range of reasons, including trauma. New treatment options using these therapies are designed to help new connections to be made between neurons. It’s almost like rebooting the computer, or at least getting some new connections to the hardrive. It’s thought this process could allow patients to better process memories, feelings and past trauma. Patients could re-emerge from the treatment with a new, freeing perspective.

Let’s place you in the shoes of someone who could be a good candidate for these new treatments: Have a think about something in your life that is stressful. Now when you think about it, how do you feel? Do you feel anxious, stressed or guilty? Maybe it even starts to make your heart rate and blood pressure go up. Now I want you to think about doubling this feeling. Now think about the feeling and make it 10 times worse. Heck, some people with severe anxiety as a result of real and/or mostly real situations can be so traumatised by past experiences in their life they can’t even function.

Understanding this predicament, you can see why these new treatments that allow new brain programming have so many possibilities. By allowing a person to approach current or previous situations with a new perspective could be a game-changer with our most vulnerable population. New treatments are gaining traction across the world to treat addiction, anxiety, major depressive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and end-of-life care.

It’s almost like rebooting the computer, or at least getting some new connections to the hardrive. Picture: iStock

MDMA (3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine), commonly known as ecstasy or caps, primarily affect one’s mood and sensation of closeness with others. It is often called the love drug as people who use it recreationally literally say they love things like “I love this song”, “I love you guys”, “I love this drink, place, grass”. The drug affects serotonin levels in the brain, leading to feelings of euphoria and increased sociability. It has been shown to be highly useful in treating people with severe PTSD. The idea is that the drug could enhance the therapeutic process by promoting emotional openness and trust.

Just because a drug has been abused on the street does not mean it has no use in a healthcare setting.

While some users may report positive short-term effects, it’s important to note that the long-term use of MDMA has been associated with several potential risks and adverse effects. It is a lot more risky than psychedelic drugs, and research is still ongoing on its long-term therapeutic applications.

Everyone in the medical world is watching this space as it unfolds. Just because a drug has been abused on the street does not mean it has no use in a healthcare setting. If you are very passionate about this topic, I recommend you keep an eye on studies that come out. You can also contact members of parliament who have been vital in getting these treatments over the line with the TGA. It is incredibly exciting to see what the future of psychedelic therapy holds.

Dr Zac Turner has a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Sydney. He is both a medical practitioner and a co-owner of telehealth service, Concierge Doctors. He was also a registered nurse and is a qualified and experienced biomedical scientist along with being a PhD Candidate in Biomedical Engineering.