The use of psychedelics to treat mental health problems has long been discussed. In a major step in this direction, Australia has become the first country to approve the use of psychedelics to treat certain mental health problems. Starting July 1, doctors here can prescribe psychedelics to treat disorders like depression and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Australia's drug regulator, the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), approved the move after nearly three years of deliberations and consultations with experts.

Psychedelics are a type of drug that has been discussed for altering mental perceptions, thought processes, and energy levels. Currently, two types of drugs can be used in Australia – methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), commonly known as ecstasy, and magic mushrooms (psilocybin).

What are MDMA and psilocybin?
The Australian drug regulator said in a news release that it may be of particular benefit as an effective treatment for mental health problems.

MDMA is a synthetic drug also known as Molly or Ecstasy. At the same time, due to the presence of psilocybin in magic mushrooms, it has been considered beneficial for the treatment of mental disorders. Psilocybin and MDMA are relatively safe, with better results seen in clinical research, according to the release.

Questions raised due to lack of sufficient research
Proponents of this decision believe that the use of these drugs will provide special benefits in the treatment of diseases such as mental disorders, alcohol addiction, and OCD depression. However, critics worry that there is not enough research to determine how effective these drugs are in treating depression and PTSD.

"It's not for everyone. We need to find out who might need it because psychedelics have been discussed for a long time," Susan Rosell, a psychiatrist at Melbourne's Swinburne University of Technology, told Nature. Therefore, special care needs to be taken on this.

How do psychedelics work?
The researchers reported that classic psychedelics work primarily by binding to the serotonin 2A receptor. Serotonin 2A is one of 15 specialized receptor molecules that the serotonin system uses to coordinate brain activity. Psychedelic drugs include many synthetic, natural, and semi-synthetic compounds. These drugs can be effective in regulating the chemical balance while correcting abnormal brain activity.
However, more research is needed for its authenticity.
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The FDA has not yet approved it
Significantly, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has yet to formally approve the use of these drugs to treat any mental health disorders. Research is still ongoing to understand how effective these may be.

There is mixed evidence for its effectiveness, says Dr. Colleen Lu, professor of psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute in Sydney, and we are watching the results closely.

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