A world-first trial involving magic mushrooms will be used to treat Melbourne patients with eating disorders.
Swinburne University will trial whether the psychedelic drug, delivered through an IV drip, can help treat binge eating.
The Briefing deep dives on drug-assisted therapy in a two-part series:
Binge eating is the second most common eating disorder. Scientists are hoping the drug will break the cycle of “negative thoughts.”
The magic mushrooms need fifteen minutes to take effect, and the treatment would be over within a couple of hours.
The trial is in its early stages and is the first to involve real patients, following a successful trial last year with volunteers.
The use of psychedelics in psychiatry is a growing field, but not without controversy.
Hear how MDMA freed this Aussie mum from PTSD on The Briefing:
In 2023, Australia became the first country in the world to allow psychiatrists to prescribe medicines containing psychedelics like MDMA and Magic Mushrooms for PTSD and treatment-resistant depression.
The decision by the TGA was met with mixed reactions from the medical community.
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