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How to Legalize Medical Psychedelics in Your Country — Tania de Jong on Australia’s Breakthrough
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Key Moments
Australia became the first country to legalize medical psychedelics (psilocybin & MDMA) for psychiatric conditions, a move driven by relentless advocacy and overwhelming public support, but with significant upfront costs for patients.
Key Insights
Australia rescheduled MDMA and psilocybin in February 2023, becoming the first country to allow prescription for psychiatric conditions, following a campaign by Mind Medicine Australia.
Over 13,000 Australians supported the rescheduling through public submissions, with over 98% in favor, marking the largest public submission count for any medicine rescheduling.
Mind Medicine Australia trained over 750 clinicians in psychedelic-assisted therapy, establishing a network of over 20 clinics across Australia.
Currently, 60-80% remission rates are being observed in patients treated with psilocybin and MDMA-assisted therapy in Australia, significantly higher than existing treatments.
The cost of a 3-4 month treatment protocol in Australia, including therapy and medicine, can range up to approximately AUD $25,000 (USD $15,000), with patient support funds and insurer coverage being crucial.
Mind Medicine Australia's strategy involved building an ecosystem including clinician training, public education, ongoing research, medicine supply, and securing payer support from government bodies and private insurers.
The pivotal moment of rescheduling
Australia made history in February 2023 by becoming the first country to reschedule MDMA and psilocybin, allowing them to be prescribed for psychiatric conditions. This groundbreaking decision followed a relentless advocacy campaign spearheaded by Tania de Jong and her husband, Peter, through their organization Mind Medicine Australia (MMA). The announcement came as a surreal and thrilling moment, with headlines quickly spreading the news globally, positioning Australia as a leader in this emerging field. The culmination of years of effort, this rescheduling was the result of persistent engagement with regulators, health professionals, and the public.
From personal experience to global mission
Tania de Jong's journey into the world of psychedelics began in 2015 after reading Michael Pollan's "The Trip Treatment." Despite never having used any substances, she and her husband underwent a profound psilocybin experience in the Netherlands. This transformative experience revealed a 'golden thread' connecting them back to themselves and each other, inspiring them to consider how such healing could be applied to those suffering from mental health issues and trauma. This personal revelation ignited a mission to understand and advocate for these therapies, leading them to connect with leading researchers and organizations worldwide, including MAPS and its founder Rick Doblin.
Building a movement and advocating for change
Mind Medicine Australia was founded in February 2019 with the primary goal of making psychedelic medicines safely, accessibly, and cost-effectively available to Australians. The organization engaged in extensive public education, giving thousands of presentations to politicians, health professionals, and business leaders. A crucial element of their strategy was mobilizing public support, which resulted in over 13,000 submissions to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), with over 98% in favor of rescheduling. This overwhelming public backing, coupled with expert presentations from figures like Professor David Nut, created significant pressure on the regulators. The organization also developed a world-leading certificate program, training over 750 clinicians in psychedelic-assisted therapy, thereby building a strong professional network.
Navigating regulatory hurdles
The path to rescheduling was fraught with challenges. MMA made multiple applications to the TGA, which were initially knocked back. Their husband, with his strategic mind, meticulously addressed the TGA's concerns in subsequent applications. A pivotal moment in the process was a presentation to TGA employees in November 2022, featuring Professor David Nut and Vanessa, a woman whose husband tragically died from depression. Vanessa's heartfelt testimony, detailing her husband's suffering and the lack of effective treatments, alongside Nut's scientific evidence, deeply moved the audience, reportedly leaving 'not a dry eye in the room.' This event highlighted the critical need for alternative treatments and the human cost of inaction.
The current landscape and treatment protocols
Following the rescheduling, psychiatrists can now apply for authorized prescriber status to use psilocybin and MDMA in clinical settings. Over 20 clinics have been established across Australia, with approximately 400 patients treated so far. The treatment protocol typically involves a 3-4 month process, including preparation, medicine administration sessions (up to two doses for psilocybin, up to three for MDMA), and integration therapy. Observed remission rates are between 60-80%, a significant improvement over conventional treatments. While MDMA for PTSD is more commonly prescribed initially, psilocybin use for depression is increasing. There have been no reported serious adverse events.
Addressing cost and accessibility
Despite the therapeutic success, the upfront cost of treatment remains a barrier, with a full protocol potentially costing up to AUD $25,000 (USD $15,000). MMA is actively working to address this through their patient support fund, which aims to raise $2.5 million to help veterans, first responders, and single mothers afford treatment. Additionally, significant progress has been made in securing payer support, with the Department of Veterans Affairs, the National Disability Insurance Scheme, and major health insurer Medibank now covering aspects of these treatments. This financial support is crucial for making these potentially life-saving therapies accessible to a wider population.
Lessons learned and future outlook
Tania de Jong reflects on the intense advocacy required, acknowledging that while they may have been perceived as 'aggressive' by some regulators, their persistence was necessary to overcome inertia and vested interests in the research community. She emphasizes the importance of resilience, data, and science in driving change, advocating for individuals to become their own 'chief medical officers.' Looking ahead, MMA is focused on addressing bureaucratic roadblocks, expanding clinician training, and continuing research for new conditions. They also host a free webinar series featuring world-leading experts, aiming to foster curiosity and encourage a global movement towards accessible healing.
The role of integration and community
Integration, the process of incorporating insights from psychedelic experiences into daily life, is a critical component of the treatment protocol. MMA emphasizes that there isn't a one-size-fits-all approach, encouraging clinicians to use various therapeutic modalities. They also highlight the growing importance of nutrition and exercise in post-treatment recovery. The conversation also touched upon the potential of group therapy and shared experiences, noting that community and social connection are vital for sustained healing. The idea of 'walking each other home,' a philosophy inspired by Ram Dass, encapsulates the spirit of collective support and shared journeying that underpins successful psychedelic-assisted therapy.
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Common Questions
In February 2023, Australia became the first country to reschedule psilocybin and MDMA, allowing psychiatrists to prescribe them for specific mental health conditions like depression and PTSD.
Topics
Mentioned in this video
A research institution where Tim Ferriss donated money for psilocybin depression studies.
An organization that introduced Tania and her husband to a guide in the Netherlands.
Charity founded by Tania and her husband in February 2019 to advocate for psychedelic medicine in Australia.
Australia's regulatory body, analogous to the FDA in the US, responsible for rescheduling medicines.
University from which Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) and Timothy Leary were expelled due to psilocybin research.
Location of Mind Medicine Australia's launch event where David Nutt spoke.
University where John Krystal researched ketamine.
Mentioned as a location for depression studies with Roland Griffiths.
Organization focused on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for PTSD, a primary driver in the psychedelic movement.
The US regulatory body, analogous to Australia's TGA.
Organization that hosted a conference in Madison, Wisconsin, where Tania spoke and met key figures in the psychedelic space.
University that houses a registry funded by Mind Medicine Australia to collect real-world evidence on psychedelic treatments.
Supporting treatments for veterans using psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Funding psychedelic treatments to reduce costs over time.
University where Tim Ferriss funded a study on long-term demoralization in AIDS survivors, which included group integration.
University where researcher Golan is currently based.
Ketamine is on their list of most essential medicines for its use as an anesthetic.
Founder of MAPS, who encouraged Tania to set up a charity in Australia.
Head of neuropsychopharmacology at Imperial College London, a key figure invited by Mind Medicine Australia to advocate for rescheduling.
Founder of Erowid, who invited Tania to speak and sing at their conference.
The birthname of Ram Dass, who was at Harvard with Timothy Leary.
Featured in Mind Medicine Australia's webinar series, possibly the author of 'Waking the Tiger'.
Psychologist who experimented with psychedelics at Harvard and was later deemed the 'most dangerous man in America' by President Nixon.
Faculty member for Mind Medicine Australia's certificate program.
A researcher at Johns Hopkins associated with depression studies, serenaded by Tania.
Author of 'The Trip Treatment' and 'How to Change Your Mind', key figure in psychedelic literature.
Researcher consulted by Tania and her husband about joining psychedelic trials in Europe.
Influential spiritual teacher, formerly Richard Alpert, who experimented with psychedelics and inspired Tania's personal journey.
US President who controversially labeled Timothy Leary 'the most dangerous man in America'.
Professor at Australian National University who worked with David Nutt and Mind Medicine Australia to fund a registry for real-world evidence.
Author famously quoted for saying 'once the doors of perception open, you can never shut them again', referring to psychedelic experiences.
Researcher who has written about ketamine use.
Researcher at Yale who has looked at IV and intramuscular use of ketamine.
Faculty member for Mind Medicine Australia's certificate program and featured in their webinar series.
Faculty member for Mind Medicine Australia's certificate program and featured in their webinar series.
Faculty member for Mind Medicine Australia's certificate program.
Faculty member for Mind Medicine Australia's certificate program.
Mentioned as a future speaker in Mind Medicine Australia's webinar series.
A pharmaceutical company mentioned as an applicant for psilocybin registration.
Australia's largest health insurer, now covering treatment costs for eligible gold members.
Lobbyists known for relationships with the Labor government, engaged by Mind Medicine Australia.
A publicly traded company with which Mind Medicine Australia has a half-share in a clinic.
Company that was recently acquired and researched methylone without explicit psychotherapy coupling.
Pharmaceutical company that created Spravato (esketamine), which uses a maintenance model for treatment.
Social media platform mentioned by Tania de Jong as a way to reach out to her.
A class of drugs, present in Syrian Rue, that inhibits monoamine oxidase enzymes, leading to amplified psychedelic effects.
A natural psychedelic substance mentioned in comparison to its isolated alkaloid, Ibogaine.
A drug created by Johnson & Johnson, which is a form of ketamine, with a maintenance model for treatment.
Described as a 'softer, gentler cousin of MDMA' with shorter-lasting effects, potentially lowering therapeutic costs.
A psychedelic substance derived from mushrooms, used by Tania and her husband for personal healing and later advocated for medical rescheduling in Australia.
A substance focused on by MAPS for assisted psychotherapy, particularly for PTSD, and later rescheduled in Australia.
A psychedelic substance mentioned in the context of Ram Dass and Maharaji's experience.
Antidepressants that Franco (Vanessa's husband) was prescribed, but which did not work for him.
A plant containing MAO inhibitors that was combined with psilocybin in Tania's initial experiences to amplify effects.
An isolated alkaloid from the Iboga plant, mentioned in the context of natural vs. synthetic compounds.
A dissociative anesthetic used for depression and chronic pain, but with high addiction potential and requiring careful use.
A psychedelic mentioned as a 'new kid on the block' for its short duration and commercialization potential.
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