• The development of the RANZCP position on psychedelics
• The advice for psychiatrists
• The implications of the advice

Microdosing psychedelics is an increasingly common community practise with users claiming a range of benefits. However, there is currently little clinical trial evidence to support many of these anecdotally claimed benefits. In this talk I will review the status of the microdosing research field, covering the limitations of the current research and where future research appears to be heading.

Psychedelic medicine has the potential to revolutionise mental health treatment and improve patient outcomes. Parallels between the development of the Australian medicinal cannabis industry and the emerging field of psychedelic medicine, provides opportunity to learn and fast track this new industry. Similar challenges include regulatory hurdles, patient access, research, education, industry development and stigma. Explore the lessons that can be learned from the Australian medicinal cannabis industry and applied to the development of psychedelic medicine. By learning from these lessons, the emerging field of psychedelic medicine can overcome challenges and bring much-needed therapies to those suffering from mental health conditions, establishing a robust regulatory framework that balances safety, accessibility, and industry growth.

• Ayahuasca (containing DMT and harmala alkaloids) is a potent plant-based medicine with evidence of a range of therapeutic mental health effects.
• Use of the traditional medicine has issues around biopiracy, constituent standardisation, and potential scale-up challenges.
• We discuss the current evidence of Ayahuasca, and the creation of a scalable, purified form of DMT and harmala alkaloids for use in a range of mental health applications.

• What are the current barriers to affordability and accessibility, how can they be addressed?
• How can regulatory agencies strike a balance between ensuring safety and accessibility?
• What role can insurance companies play in covering the cost?

• How can therapists ensure informed consent when working with psychedelics, given the unique and often unpredictable nature of psychedelic experiences?
• Are there specific guidelines or standards for the training and certification of therapists and healthcare professionals?
• Are there legal and ethical considerations regarding the integration of traditional or indigenous practices?

Digital therapeutics and psychedelic treatments are gaining increasing interest as alternative treatments in mental health care. The intersection of those treatments presents itself as an interesting preposition for combination therapies. This talk provides an overview of a 3-year research examining the feasibility, benefits, and limitations of the use of VR as a psychotherapy tool in combination with psychedelics, based on studies at Swinburne University, Australia and international collaborations.

• 2024 will mark a year since MDMA and Psilocybin were moved to Schedule 8 medicines in Australia – where are we now? Does the future look promising?
• What are the perspectives and insights of practicing clinicians?
• What challenges and opportunities exist?