From July 1, the substances, also known as ecstasy and psilocybin, will be able to be prescribed by approved doctors to treat post-traumatic stress and certain types of depression.
The hope is that the substances will mean a breakthrough for patients with mental diagnoses for whom other treatments have not worked.
Mike Musker, who researches suicide prevention and mental health at the University of South Australia, told AFP that MDMA is most useful in treating post-traumatic stress disorder, while psilocybin can be effective against depression.
— MDMA gives people a sense of connection and makes it easier to connect with the therapist and also to talk about difficult personal experiences, says Mike Musker.
As for psilocybin, he says it gives the patient a “psycho-spiritual” effect that other substances don’t.
— It can make you feel differently about who you are and your life. And hopefully it makes you want to live, says Musker.