A groundbreaking study by Haifa University suggests that MDMA helped survivors of the October 7 attack cope with trauma. Researchers found that the release of hormones like oxytocin reduced fear among those affected. The study analyzed 650 survivors and revealed key insights into the role of recreational drugs in trauma recovery.

MDMA helped Oct 7 survivors cope with trauma, study finds

Eight young people were placed in medically induced comas after they had an overdose of suspected MDMA at a music festival in Melbourne, Australia over the weekend. The incident has increased calls for the legalisation of pill testing in the state.&nbsp;

Paramedics, who were present at the Hardmission electronic music festival organised at Flemington racecourse on Saturday (Jan 6), admitted nine festivalgoers to different hospitals across Melbourne.&nbsp;

Victorian Ambulance Union said that eight people were put in medical induced comas and breathing tubes were inserted in their throats.

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“These would have been some of the sickest patients our paramedics would deal with, short of going into cardiac arrest,” said Danny Hill, the Victorian Ambulance Union’s secretary, as reported by The Guardian.&nbsp;

“They were really, really sick. You had patients with high temperatures – some over 41 degrees and seizure activity. In order to be transported, [paramedics] have to do an intervention that is normally left for patients suffering a head injury or a stroke," he added.

<h2>Not normal for a high number of people to fall sick at event: Hill</h2>

Hill said that it was not normal for a high number of people to fall sick at an event. “I don’t think we’ve seen it for some years, if ever,” he added.&nbsp;

The temperature on Saturday (Jan 6) soared to 32ºC, however, Hill said that MDMA can also increase the blood pressure and body temperature of a person.&nbsp;

“They’re already in a dangerous situation and no doubt that was compounded by the environment,” he said, while speaking to The Guardian.&nbsp;

Watch:&nbsp;Australia: After the floods came the bushfires

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The patients were admitted to the Sunshine, Royal Melbourne, Austin, Footscray and St Vincent’s hospitals. Royal Melbourne Hospital's spokesperson said that two patients were in critical condition.&nbsp;

Hill said that he hoped the event of Saturday would further push people to reconsider pill testing in Victoria.

“These drugs are not made in batches of seven or eight tablets. They’re made in batches of hundreds or thousands so there are many more of these deadly tablets out there. And there are many more of these raves throughout the summer season. It can only help to bring in pill-testing and try to intercept the drug use as close as you can to the person using the drug," Hill said.

(With inputs from agencies)

Eight young people were placed in medically induced comas after they had an overdose of suspected MDMA at a music festival in Melbourne, Australia over the weekend.

Eight young people were placed in medically induced comas after they had an overdose of suspected MDMA at a music festival in Melbourne, Australia over the weekend. The incident has increased calls for the legalisation of pill testing in the state. Paramedics, who were present at the Hardmission electronic music festival organised at Flemington racecourse on Saturday (Jan 6), admitted nine festivalgoers to different hospitals across Melbourne. Victorian Ambulance Union said that eight people were put in medical induced comas and breathing tubes were inserted in their throats. Also read: Australia's ban on Nazi salute, public display of terror group symbols kicks into effect “These would have been some of the sickest patients our paramedics would deal with, short of going into cardiac arrest,” said Danny Hill, the Victorian Ambulance Union’s secretary, as reported by The Guardian. “They were really, really sick. You had patients with high temperatures – some over 41 degrees and seizure activity. In order to be transported, [paramedics] have to do an intervention that is normally left for patients suffering a head injury or a stroke," he added. Not normal for a high number of people to fall sick at event: Hill Hill said that it was not normal for a high number of people to fall sick at an event. “I don’t think we’ve seen it for some years, if ever,” he added. The temperature on Saturday (Jan 6) soared to 32ºC, however, Hill said that MDMA can also increase the blood pressure and body temperature of a person. “They’re already in a dangerous situation and no doubt that was compounded by the environment,” he said, while speaking to The Guardian. Watch: Australia: After the floods came the bushfires The patients were admitted to the Sunshine, Royal Melbourne, Austin, Footscray and St Vincent’s hospitals. Royal Melbourne Hospital's spokesperson said that two patients were in critical condition. Hill said that he hoped the event of Saturday would further push people to reconsider pill testing in Victoria. “These drugs are not made in batches of seven or eight tablets. They’re made in batches of hundreds or thousands so there are many more of these deadly tablets out there. And there are many more of these raves throughout the summer season. It can only help to bring in pill-testing and try to intercept the drug use as close as you can to the person using the drug," Hill said. (With inputs from agencies)

Australia: Eight people placed in induced coma after suspected overdose of MDMA at music festival

Banned drugs like M-D-M-A, more commonly known as Ecstacy and magic mushrooms can be now used as a remedy for severe post traumatic stress disorder and depression cases. In a landmark judgment, the Australian government has legalised the usage of Ecstacy and psilocybin, an active component found in magic mushrooms to aid treatment resistant depression.

Banned drugs, new remedy for treatment-resistant depression

Australia has become the first nation to approve the legal use of MDMA & Psilocybin. These 'psychedelic therapies' can now be availed by the people. Molly Gambhir reports.

Gravitas: Australia approves medical use of MDMA

The drug watchdog of Australia on Friday announced that the authorities will be soon legalising psychedelic substances MDMA and psilocybin, which are commonly known as magic mushrooms and ecstasy, for treating patients who are suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress.&nbsp;

From July, psychiatrists will be free to prescribe both substances, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration after it found "sufficient evidence for potential benefits in certain patients".

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Both drugs are currently "prohibited substances" and authorities can only use them in closely controlled clinical trials.

The administration said that the drugs were found to be "relatively safe" when they were administered in a &nbsp;medical setting and provided an "altered state of consciousness" which seemed to help the patients.

University of South Australia's mental health and suicide prevention researcher Mike Musker welcomed the move as "long-awaited".

"There are many people in the community experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and depression, particularly army veterans and people who have worked in emergency services, where standard psychiatric drugs have not worked and offer no relief," he stated.

Musker added that both drugs "reduce inhibitions" and will help people process difficult memories and images.

WATCH | Trending on WION: Australia wants to make cigarettes 'ugly' and 'tasteless'

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Presently, the use of psilocybin and MDMA will remain limited to the treatment of patients suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress.&nbsp;

However, the advocates hope that the drugs will be one day used for treating eating disorders, alcohol dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder.&nbsp;

Indigenous people&nbsp;have used psychedelics for millennia, however, western researchers started understanding the potential uses of these drugs in the middle of the last century.

The drugs were seen as symbols of the 1960s' &nbsp;counter-culture movement and were banned.

Authorities in the United States and Canada are among those who have permitted for the medical use of MDMA and psilocybin.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

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The drug watchdog of Australia on Friday announced that the authorities will be soon legalising psychedelic substances MDMA and psilocybin, which are commonly known as magic mushrooms and ecstasy, for treating patients who are suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress.

The drug watchdog of Australia on Friday announced that the authorities will be soon legalising psychedelic substances MDMA and psilocybin, which are commonly known as magic mushrooms and ecstasy, for treating patients who are suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress. From July, psychiatrists will be free to prescribe both substances, said the Therapeutic Goods Administration after it found "sufficient evidence for potential benefits in certain patients". ALSO READ | Australia won't carry King Charles's image on new $5 note Both drugs are currently "prohibited substances" and authorities can only use them in closely controlled clinical trials. The administration said that the drugs were found to be "relatively safe" when they were administered in a medical setting and provided an "altered state of consciousness" which seemed to help the patients. University of South Australia's mental health and suicide prevention researcher Mike Musker welcomed the move as "long-awaited". "There are many people in the community experiencing PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder) and depression, particularly army veterans and people who have worked in emergency services, where standard psychiatric drugs have not worked and offer no relief," he stated. Musker added that both drugs "reduce inhibitions" and will help people process difficult memories and images. WATCH | Trending on WION: Australia wants to make cigarettes 'ugly' and 'tasteless' Presently, the use of psilocybin and MDMA will remain limited to the treatment of patients suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress. However, the advocates hope that the drugs will be one day used for treating eating disorders, alcohol dependence and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Indigenous people have used psychedelics for millennia, however, western researchers started understanding the potential uses of these drugs in the middle of the last century. The drugs were seen as symbols of the 1960s' counter-culture movement and were banned. Authorities in the United States and Canada are among those who have permitted for the medical use of MDMA and psilocybin. (With inputs from agencies) You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. WATCH WION LIVE HERE

Australia to legalise use of MDMA and magic mushrooms for treating depression

The California-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) started conducting trials into the medicinal values of the drug MDMA and in May 2021, they released their first results from a phase three trial. The study, which was published in the Nature journal, hailed the drug as an effective medicine for people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – a condition which does not have any proper treatment as of now. However, the study has created a lot of controversy as Canadian regulators have said that they will be reviewing the clinical trials after a number of complaints from the participants regarding “alleged investigator misconduct”.

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According to The Guardian, producers of the New York magazine podcast Cover Story: Power Trip lodged the main complaint after they spoke to a number of participants. During their interviews, the podcast producers found that there were allegations of misbehaviour and physical assaults.

Richard Yensen, one of the therapists involved in the studies, was also accused of sexual assault by a subject called Meaghan Buisson. According to The Guardian, Buisson accused him of sexual assault constituting battery, but the file was not taken forward by the Canadian police and prosecutors.

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Other complaints regarding the MDMA trials involved three patients alleging that their suicidal thoughts got worse over time as they were not allowed to take antidepressant medication.

“Maps is trying to be too many things,” said one psychotherapist who worked on Maps MDMA trials according to The Guardian. “They need to slow down and focus on the research that’s actually being done and doing quality long-term follow-ups while listening to and providing for their trial participants when they’re saying, ‘I need extra support,” he was further quoted in the report.

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The California-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) started conducting trials into the medicinal values of the drug MDMA and in May 2021, they released their first results from a phase three trial.

The California-based Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) started conducting trials into the medicinal values of the drug MDMA and in May 2021, they released their first results from a phase three trial. The study, which was published in the Nature journal, hailed the drug as an effective medicine for people suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) – a condition which does not have any proper treatment as of now. However, the study has created a lot of controversy as Canadian regulators have said that they will be reviewing the clinical trials after a number of complaints from the participants regarding “alleged investigator misconduct”. Also read | Former guerrilla Gustavo Petro wins presidential elections in Colombia According to The Guardian, producers of the New York magazine podcast Cover Story: Power Trip lodged the main complaint after they spoke to a number of participants. During their interviews, the podcast producers found that there were allegations of misbehaviour and physical assaults. Richard Yensen, one of the therapists involved in the studies, was also accused of sexual assault by a subject called Meaghan Buisson. According to The Guardian, Buisson accused him of sexual assault constituting battery, but the file was not taken forward by the Canadian police and prosecutors. Also read | Agneepath scheme: Indian Army issues notification for Agniveer recruitments Other complaints regarding the MDMA trials involved three patients alleging that their suicidal thoughts got worse over time as they were not allowed to take antidepressant medication. “Maps is trying to be too many things,” said one psychotherapist who worked on Maps MDMA trials according to The Guardian. “They need to slow down and focus on the research that’s actually being done and doing quality long-term follow-ups while listening to and providing for their trial participants when they’re saying, ‘I need extra support,” he was further quoted in the report. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Canadian authorities to review MDMA trials over alleged abuse of study participants

The UK government has cautioned festivalgoers about an unusual shift in the drug market resulting&nbsp;in a rapid and potentially hazardous spike of fake ecstasy drugs due to a combination of Brexit, and Covid lockdowns. The police have begun a crackdown targeting supply chains.

However, last year, criminologists and chemists discovered that over half of the MDMA sold at festivals in England did not contain any of the drugs.

According to the Guardian, a report&nbsp;published in the journal Drug Science, Policy and Law, predicts&nbsp;a shift in the UK drugs between 2019 and 2021. It further added that “adulteration poses additional unknown risks to the health of people who use illicit drugs.”

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The experts suggest that any of the pills sold at the festivals were made of chemicals like cathinones, a new psychoactive drug (NPS), and caffeine. Some of its users later observed panic, insanity and persistent insomnia.

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Michael Pascoe, a research associate at Cardiff University and a co-lead author of the study, told the UK newspaper, “This is the first peer-reviewed article that confirms there was an unprecedented shift in the quality of UK ecstasy following Brexit and the lockdowns. As well as noticing this effect at festivals, the study also presents wider UK data that confirms the same effect was seen across the whole country."

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The researchers further discovered that 45 per cent of the compounds advertised as MDMA contained none of its substances and were made of cathinones and caffeine. A&nbsp;probe conducted in 2019 during festivals&nbsp;found that only 7 per cent of the tablets examined did not contain MDMA. It also mentions studies from the harm reduction organisation Wedinos, which discovered that nearly 15 per cent of the MDMA products tested in the year 2021 had only cathinones and only 14 per cent had caffeine.

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(With inputs from agencies)

The UK government has cautioned festivalgoers about an unusual shift in the drug market resulting in a rapid and potentially hazardous spike of fake ecstasy drugs due to a combination of Brexit, and Covid lockdowns.

The UK government has cautioned festivalgoers about an unusual shift in the drug market resulting in a rapid and potentially hazardous spike of fake ecstasy drugs due to a combination of Brexit, and Covid lockdowns. The police have begun a crackdown targeting supply chains. However, last year, criminologists and chemists discovered that over half of the MDMA sold at festivals in England did not contain any of the drugs. According to the Guardian, a report published in the journal Drug Science, Policy and Law, predicts a shift in the UK drugs between 2019 and 2021. It further added that “adulteration poses additional unknown risks to the health of people who use illicit drugs.” Also read | How Brexit created political instability in Britain The experts suggest that any of the pills sold at the festivals were made of chemicals like cathinones, a new psychoactive drug (NPS), and caffeine. Some of its users later observed panic, insanity and persistent insomnia. Watch | Post-Brexit Northern Ireland trade agreement unviable, says UK PM Boris Johnson Michael Pascoe, a research associate at Cardiff University and a co-lead author of the study, told the UK newspaper, “This is the first peer-reviewed article that confirms there was an unprecedented shift in the quality of UK ecstasy following Brexit and the lockdowns. As well as noticing this effect at festivals, the study also presents wider UK data that confirms the same effect was seen across the whole country." Also read | British Prime Minister Boris Johnson's pro-Brexit father Stanley becomes French The researchers further discovered that 45 per cent of the compounds advertised as MDMA contained none of its substances and were made of cathinones and caffeine. A probe conducted in 2019 during festivals found that only 7 per cent of the tablets examined did not contain MDMA. It also mentions studies from the harm reduction organisation Wedinos, which discovered that nearly 15 per cent of the MDMA products tested in the year 2021 had only cathinones and only 14 per cent had caffeine. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here. (With inputs from agencies)

Brexit and Covid lockdowns trigger hazardous spike of fake ecstasy in UK: Study

Chennai Air Customs have seized four parcels that arrived via foreign post from Germany and Netherlands, which contained different variants of Ecstasy Pills and MDMA crystals. The contraband, which includes 276 MDMA pills, 7 grams of MDMA crystals is valued at over $12,000 (Rs. 9 Lakhs) and has been seized under the NDPS Act, 1985.&nbsp;

The first parcel which arrived from Germany, contained two plastic pouches that had 100 red color and 50 blue color MDMA pills concealed in them. The red color pills were embossed with the logo of e-vehicle major Tesla, whereas the blue ones had the logo of gaming company EA Sports.&nbsp;

The former contains 224 mg of MDMA and latter contain 176 mg of MDMA.

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100 peach color MDMA pills were found in the second parcel, which had arrived from Netherlands. These pills were in the shape of a human skull known as MY BRAND/ Totenkopf Skull and contain 248 mg MDMA.

The third parcel (consigned from Netherlands) contained 26 pink colour pills of MDMA that were marked with Jurassis and had an image of a Dinosaur on it. They contain around 300mg MDMA.&nbsp;

Any dosage over 120mg of MDMA is considered lethal.

The fourth parcel on examination was found to contain 7 grams of MDMA Crystal.&nbsp;

While two parcels were addressed to persons residing in Chennai city, the other two were addressed to Auroville in Villupuram, near Pondicherry and the Salem district.

“After the nationwide lockdown in late March, given the unavailability of liquor and other intoxicants, we have seen frequent attempts to smuggle drugs in via Foreign post. &nbsp;Especially, Synthetic drugs and crystals of high dosage, most of which are coming in from Europe. While we have earlier tracked down smugglers to other states and districts this is the first time we have traced users down to Auroville, which is near Pondicherry” Rajan Chaudhary, Commisioner Customs told WION.

Follow up searches have led to the detention of an individual to ascertain his role in the parcels that were consigned for Chennai city.&nbsp;

In Villupuram, the consignee was found to be a young Indian lady, who works as a volunteer in Auroville. She has been detained to ascertain her role in the smuggling.&nbsp;

On investigation at the consignee address in Salem District of Tamil Nadu, it was found that the consignee name was fake. Investigation is in progress, officials said.&nbsp;

Chennai Air Customs have seized four parcels that arrived via foreign post from Germany and Netherlands, which contained different variants of Ecstasy Pills and MDMA crystals.

Chennai Air Customs have seized four parcels that arrived via foreign post from Germany and Netherlands, which contained different variants of Ecstasy Pills and MDMA crystals. The contraband, which includes 276 MDMA pills, 7 grams of MDMA crystals is valued at over $12,000 (Rs. 9 Lakhs) and has been seized under the NDPS Act, 1985. The first parcel which arrived from Germany, contained two plastic pouches that had 100 red color and 50 blue color MDMA pills concealed in them. The red color pills were embossed with the logo of e-vehicle major Tesla, whereas the blue ones had the logo of gaming company EA Sports. The former contains 224 mg of MDMA and latter contain 176 mg of MDMA. Also read: Chennai: Cops perform final rites after aged couple end lives due to poverty, sons' neglect 100 peach color MDMA pills were found in the second parcel, which had arrived from Netherlands. These pills were in the shape of a human skull known as MY BRAND/ Totenkopf Skull and contain 248 mg MDMA. The third parcel (consigned from Netherlands) contained 26 pink colour pills of MDMA that were marked with Jurassis and had an image of a Dinosaur on it. They contain around 300mg MDMA. Any dosage over 120mg of MDMA is considered lethal. The fourth parcel on examination was found to contain 7 grams of MDMA Crystal. While two parcels were addressed to persons residing in Chennai city, the other two were addressed to Auroville in Villupuram, near Pondicherry and the Salem district. “After the nationwide lockdown in late March, given the unavailability of liquor and other intoxicants, we have seen frequent attempts to smuggle drugs in via Foreign post. Especially, Synthetic drugs and crystals of high dosage, most of which are coming in from Europe. While we have earlier tracked down smugglers to other states and districts this is the first time we have traced users down to Auroville, which is near Pondicherry” Rajan Chaudhary, Commisioner Customs told WION. Follow up searches have led to the detention of an individual to ascertain his role in the parcels that were consigned for Chennai city. In Villupuram, the consignee was found to be a young Indian lady, who works as a volunteer in Auroville. She has been detained to ascertain her role in the smuggling. On investigation at the consignee address in Salem District of Tamil Nadu, it was found that the consignee name was fake. Investigation is in progress, officials said.

Chennai: MDMA crystals, Ecstasy pill variants ‘Tesla’, ‘EA Sports’ ‘Jurassis’ worth $12000 seized

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