Turn on, tune in: One of Lynne Malcolm's favourite programsTurn on, tune in: One of Lynne Malcolm's favourite programs
All In The Mind
Turn on, tune in and drop out … that was the catch cry of U.S. psychologist Timothy Leary in the 1960s. By 1966 psychedelics were demonised and banned, but now—in controlled scientific settings—there's a psychedelic 'renaissance' in mental health therapy. Early research on the use of ecstasy in the treatment of stress disorders looks promising.
29:05•27 Dec 2020
Psychedelics, Trauma and a New Look at Mental Health Treatment
Episode Overview
- Personal accounts show how psychedelic experiences can shift grief, perception and connection, though they can also involve difficult or frightening trips.
- Dr Ben Sessa argues that many current psychiatric drugs manage symptoms but do not treat underlying trauma, whereas psychedelics may help people address root causes.
- MDMA-assisted psychotherapy aims to reduce fear while recalling trauma, allowing people with long-standing post-traumatic stress to engage in therapy they previously avoided.
- Rick Doblin describes controlled clinical settings with medical screening, structured eight-hour sessions and follow-up as key to making MDMA work safely and effectively.
- Both Sessa and Doblin highlight the very low physiological risk of classical psychedelics in careful settings, while stressing that legal status, misuse and stigma remain major concerns.
“"If you were to invent a drug to treat trauma, it would be MDMA."”
How do people find strength in their journey to sobriety and better mental health when traditional treatments just aren’t cutting it? This episode of All In The Mind replays one of Lynne Malcolm’s favourite programmes, taking you into psychedelic science, from festival fields to clinical trials. You’ll first hear from people at a psychedelic symposium in Victoria sharing raw, personal stories of magic mushrooms, ayahuasca and DMT.
One recalls a sunrise at a music festival when they suddenly realised they’d "stopped grieving" for their mum. Another describes DMT as a "bejeweled, fractal, Taj Mahal-like" inner universe that raised huge questions about reality and consciousness. Things then shift firmly into science. Psychiatrist and researcher Dr Ben Sessa talks about a modern "psychedelic renaissance" and why he thinks current psychiatric drugs often just "paper over the cracks".
He argues that substances such as MDMA could help people finally face deep trauma, especially where addiction and long-term distress are rooted in childhood pain. He notes that, used carefully with psychotherapy, patients say, "Yes, I can talk to you about my rape," after decades of avoidance. Rick Doblin from MAPS explains how MDMA-assisted therapy for post‑traumatic stress is tested in tightly controlled settings with long sessions, careful medical screening and follow-up.
He outlines how MDMA reduces fear while enhancing memory, giving people a chance to rewrite the emotional tone of traumatic events through a process called memory reconsolidation. Safety, stigma and the history of drug prohibition run through the conversation, with repeated reminders that most psychedelic use is illegal and carries risks. For anyone curious about future treatments for trauma, addiction and mental health—without any sugar-coating of dangers—this episode offers a fascinating mix of heartfelt stories and rigorous research.
Could changing our state of consciousness sometimes be the key to changing our lives?
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