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The Healing Powers of Psilocybin and MDMA: Psychedelic Assisted Therapies for PTSD and Depression

In this episode, Dr Shauna is joined by Tania de Jong. Among many incredible accomplishments, Tania is the founder of Mind Medicine Australia, a charity that aims to expand the treatments available for Australians suffering from mental illness through the safe and effective use of psychedelic-assisted therapies.

In a world first, in 2023 Mind Medicine Australia successfully applied to reschedule psilocybin and MDMA so that psychiatrists with the requisite approvals are now able to utilise these substances for treatment-resistant depression and PTSD.

In this episode, Dr Shauna and Tania discuss topics including:
- Why did you create Mind Medicine Australia?
- Studies, research and findings around psychedelic-assisted therapies and terminal patients.
- Tania’s personal experiences with these practices.
- What kinds of illnesses are psilocybin and MDMA treatments beneficial for?
- The history, culture and criminalisation of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
- The world-first rescheduling of psilocybin and MDMA and what this means within Australia.
- How much do psychadelic-assisted therapies cost?
- What is the process for a patient undertaking these therapies?
- What can a patient expect to experience?
- How many doses or sessions are needed?
- What other illnesses would benefit from psychadelic-assisted treatments?
- How safe is the treatment? What are the risks?
- What is micro-dosing and how is it different to psychadelic-assisted therapy?
- Antidepressants and psychadelic-assisted therapies.
- What are the current barriers to treatment?
- A piece of advice for her 20-something self.
- What does the future of psychadelic-assisted therapies look like?

For more information and resources from Tania:
⁠Mind Medicine Australia⁠ website - https://mindmedicineaustralia.org.au
⁠Donate⁠ to the patient support fund - https://mindmedicineaustralia.org.au/psf/
Tania’s TEDx Talk: ⁠How Singing Together Changes the Brain⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I_HOBr8H9EM&pp=ygUNdGFuaWEgZGUgam9uZw%3D%3D
Explore Tania’s discography:
⁠Spotify⁠ - https://open.spotify.com/artist/7s2tB1C8DgMUtsCedLunfS
⁠Youtube⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIEmG18P5CZBhPBjCJhr_5w

Follow on socials:
Instagram: ⁠https://instagram.com/mindmedicine.au⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/mind-medicine-australia

Tania de Jong AM is a trail-blazing Australian soprano, global speaker, award-winning social entrepreneur, philanthropist, creative innovation catalyst, spiritual journey woman and storyteller. Tania is one of Australia’s most successful female entrepreneurs and innovators having developed 6 businesses and 4 charities.

Tania has a Bachelor of Law (Honours) from the University of Melbourne and is a graduate of Victorian College of the Arts in opera, music theatre and voice. She was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia in June 2008 for service to the Arts as a performer and entrepreneur and through the establishment and development of music and arts enrichment programs for schools and communities.

Disclaimer: This podcast and any information, advice, opinions or statements within it do not constitute medical, health care or other professional advice. Information is provided for educational and entertainment purposes only.

⁠Visit the website⁠ to access episodes or send Dr Shauna a message - https://www.allaboutyoupod.com/

Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:
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