Australia authorises MDMA, magic mushrooms for medical treatment

Australia on Saturday became one of the first countries in the world to allow the use of MDMA and magic mushrooms for medical treatment, in a bid to tackle certain mental health conditions.

From July 1, authorised psychiatrists will be able to prescribe the drugs, also known as ecstasy and psilocybin, for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder and some types of depression. Authorities in Canada and the United States allow the medical use of one or both of the drugs, but only in clinical trials or with special permits.

In February, Australia reclassified the drug entirely, after the country's Therapeutic Goods Administration said trials had found the substances to be "relatively safe" when used in a "medically-controlled environment". Supporters of the move hope the drugs can provide breakthroughs for mental health patients, when other treatments have failed.