Australia's psychedelic experiment: reflections from a psychiatrist clinical researcher.
Australasian Psychiatry June 26, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/10398562251347890 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psilocybin MDMA |
| Topics | MDMA Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Clinical trials Psychedelics Psychedelic medicine Psychedelic treatment Psychedelic healthcare Medical trials Drug trials Therapeutic investigation Efficacy studies Treatment safety Healthcare safety Risk management Patient outcomes Mental wellness Therapeutic interventions Mental health treatment |
| Key points | Argues that eight research domains (efficacy, safety, psychotherapy models, psychological support, therapeutic touch, set/setting, and naturalistic data) require further investigation to inform psychedelic-assisted therapy. |
Abstract
BackgroundDespite a limited evidence base to inform clinicians, Australia has adopted a national approach in rescheduling psilocybin and MDMA as clinical therapies for treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), respectively.PurposeThis paper explores clinical research domains warranting further investigation through outlining the reflections of a clinical-academic psychiatrist involved in psychedelic trial work.ResultsEight domains were found to warrant further research investigation including: efficacy, safety (including combining with psychotropics), psychotherapy models, psychological support, therapeutic touch, set/setting and examination of naturalistic data.ConclusionsThe clinical availability of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) gives greater impetus for careful research studies, informing treatment and improving patient outcomes.
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on MDMA, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Differences Between the Mechanism of Action of MDMA, MBDB, and the Classic Hallucinogens. Identification of a New Therapeutic Class: Entactogens | 1986 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| The Background and Chemistry of MDMA | 1986 | Historical analysis | |
| The origin of MDMA (ecstasy) revisited: the true story reconstructed from the original documents* Original documents in Merck's historical archive in Darmstadt, Germany, years 1900–1960 | 2006 | Historical analysis | |
| Distinct neural mechanisms for the prosocial and rewarding properties of MDMA | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| How could MDMA (ecstasy) help anxiety disorders? A neurobiological rationale | 2009 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 8
- Single-Dose Psilocybin for a Treatment-Resistant Episode of Major Depression. New England Journal of Medicine November 3, 2022
- MDMA-assisted therapy for severe PTSD: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 3 study. Nature Medicine June 1, 2021
- MDMA-assisted therapy for moderate to severe PTSD: a randomized, placebo-controlled phase 3 trial. Nature Medicine October 1, 2023
- Psilocybin for treatment resistant depression in patients taking a concomitant SSRI medication. Neuropsychopharmacology September 1, 2023
- Drug-drug interactions between psychiatric medications and MDMA or psilocybin: a systematic review Psychopharmacology March 7, 2022
and 3 more in the library