Inside the psychedelic “renaissance”

Psychedelic drug therapy promises to revolutionise the treatment of mental illness. For some people, it can’t come soon enough.

For some, it is a big leap to consider that the active ingredients in magic mushrooms or the illicit street drug ecstasy could have genuine therapeutic roles in the treatment of some mental illnesses. But studies into the use of psychedelics to treat depression and post-traumatic stress disorder are being pursued around the world and the results, particularly around MDMA, are compelling, leading many to believe that it could be approved in the US by next year. We’re not talking pills issued by sketchy characters on street corners, but pharmaceutical grade drugs administered alongside therapy in a carefully controlled environment to reduce the potential for abuse or adverse reactions.

There’s research underway in Australia but authorities here are proceeding with caution, leading to frustration from campaigners like former federal Liberal Party director Andrew Robb, who believes the therapy holds promise in his lifelong battle with depression. “I want something that will fix this bloody condition that I’ve got,” he tells journalist Megan Lehmann.