In this episode, our speakers discuss the use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in the treatment for conditions such as depression and PTSD. This podcast is intended for individuals considering whether this approach could be helpful in treating their diagnosed psychiatric conditions. The conversation covers the role of psychotherapy in these treatments, the importance of ongoing research and the potential risks and contraindications involved. The discussion also explores how psychedelic agents uniquely impact brain function, contrasting this with standard treatments. 

Prof Mal Hopwood is the Ramsay Health Care Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Melbourne and the Director of the Professorial Psychiatry Unit at the Ramsay Clinic Albert Road (RCAR). A former President of the RANZCP, he is a dedicated researcher and clinician specialising in mood disorders and PTSD. He leads an active clinical trials group at RCAR, including in the area of psychedelic treatment.

Dr Nigel Strauss has been a psychiatrist for 45 years and is currently a consultant at St Vincent’s Hospital in Melbourne, as well as a psychedelic researcher at Swinburne University. He is a trained psychedelic psychotherapist and has written extensively on psychedelic medicine and psychology. He is currently sponsoring a trial on MDMA-assisted psychotherapy at Monash University.

Dr Diana Korevaar is a psychiatrist with experience in private practice, where she integrates trauma-based methods with routine psychiatric care. Over the past five years, she has been actively involved in psychedelic-assisted therapy research trials across a wide variety of psychiatric conditions.

Prof Colleen Loo is a psychiatrist, Australian National Health and Medical Research Council Leadership Fellow, and Professor of Psychiatry at the University of New South Wales and the Black Dog Institute in Sydney. She is a clinical and research expert in electroconvulsive therapy, transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS), transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) and ketamine. She is now also researching psychedelic-assisted therapy.

Prof David Castle; Department of Psychiatry, The University of Tasmania; and Co-Director, Tasmanian Centre for Mental Health Service Innovation. He has wide clinical and research interests and has published widely. He has a current particular interest in psychedelic assisted therapy.

References and Resources:

1. Professor Richard J Davidson on the neuroplasticity of emotional wellbeing
2. White Paper on the science of awe, which describes the impact of training in competencies which overlap with psychedelic mystical experience
3. Compassion Focused therapy in psychedelic assisted th

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Disclaimer:
This podcast is provided to you for information purposes only and to provide a broad public understanding of various mental health topics. The podcast may represent the views of the author and not necessarily the views of The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists ('RANZCP'). The podcast is not to be relied upon as medical advice, or as a substitute for medical advice, does not establish a doctor-patient relationship and should not be a substitute for individual clinical judgement. By accessing The RANZCP's podcasts you also agree to the full terms and conditions of the RANZCP's Website. Expert mental health information and finding a psychiatrist in Australia or New Zealand is available on the RANZCP’s Your Health In Mind Website.