Thread by @DilaraB_PhD

A case study on how not to try & legitimize the medical use of psychedelics, which are controlled substances.

There is a potentially transformative treatment for mental illness here.

We don't need ignorant cowboys skirting the law & doing more harm than good. 1/

https://twitter.com/4corners/status/1551311090247942144

2/ Psychedelic treatments are showing promise but more research is needed to prove safety & efficacy, especially for real-world use

The process to legitimizing the medical use of psychedelics should be evidence-based & conducted in consultation with experts in the field.

3/ There is much to learn from the legalization of medical cannabis, which has been mostly a success in Australia.

Thanks to amazing players like @UnitedInCompas1 @Lambert_Usyd & @iainsmcgregor who have strived for evidence building & evidence-based changes in legislation.

4/There is outstanding & legitimate research on psychedelics underway in Australia.

We have a critical mass of mental health researchers, pioneering psychedelics researchers, support from the government, and disruptive entrepreneurs hungry to challenge the status quo.

5/
Attempts to progress this promising area should seek to enable more high-quality research, like those being conducted by:
- @PLiknaitzky @MonashUni - generalised anxiety
- Jon Brett @lizjknock @SVHSydney - meth (ice) dependence
- @georgeinstitute - high-quality trials
...

6/
- @vincepsy @Macquarie_Uni - depression
- Marg Ross @StVincentsMelb - end-of-life distress
- @samuel_b_phd @Psylo_Bio - novel & optimised medicines
- Colleen Loo @blackdoginst - equitable access to antidepressants
- @stephenjbright @Edith__Collins - PTSD

...

7/
- @StephenTouyz @InsideOutInst, @iainsmcgregor @Lambert_Usyd - anorexia
- @DrKirstenMorley @Sydney_Uni, @dan_lubman @TurningPointAU - alcohol dependence & PTSD
- @GillBedi @orygen_aus - anxiety & autism
- @adeelrazi @MonashUni - neural mechanisms

and more.

8/ There are also good players building the infrastructure for safe & equitable access, including training & education, standardization, ethics, registration, & reimbursement.

E.g. Prof Anthony Rodgers from @georgeinstitute, @PLiknaitzky, Jon Brett @SVHSydney or @PRISMNews

9/ If you're passionate & purposeful about better treatments for #MentalHealth disorders and/or about the potential of #psychedelic treatments, please reach out & I can help connect you with someone doing legitimate work in this area.

There is potential for real impact here🍄♥

*Correction: Most psychedelics are prohibited* substances.

The only way to legally access treatment with classic psychedelic in Australia is through registered clinical trials.

Ketamine, however, is a controlled substance that can be prescribed by specialists.