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March 3, 2024

The Healing Powers of Magic Mushrooms and MDMA: Psychadelic Assisted Therapies for the Treatment of PTSD and Depression

The Healing Powers of Magic Mushrooms and MDMA: Psychadelic Assisted Therapies for the Treatment of PTSD and Depression
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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:

Visit the Mind Medicine Australia website.

Donate to the patient support fund.

Watch Tania’s TEDx Talk: How Singing Together Changes the Brain

Explore Tania’s discography on Spotify and Youtube.

Follow on socials:
Instagram: @‌mindmedicine.au

LinkedIn: 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.


Watch the episode on Youtube here.


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Follow Dr Shauna and the podcast on social:

Instagram: @‌allaboutyou_withdrshaunawatts @‌drshaunawattsgp

LinkedIn: Dr Shauna Watts