New Zealand drugs regulator approves use of MDMA to treat severe PTSD
New Zealand decision follows Australian approval in 2023 of psychedelics to treat PTSD and treatment-resistant depression
TL;DR
- New Zealand has approved the use of pharmaceutical-grade MDMA for treating severe PTSD.
- This makes New Zealand the second country worldwide, after Australia, to approve MDMA for PTSD treatment.
- The treatment will involve MDMA-assisted therapy combined with psychotherapy in a controlled clinical setting.
- Patients must be 18 years or older and will not be supplied drugs to take home.
- The deputy prime minister highlighted New Zealand's commitment to opening access to innovative treatments.