Psychedelics being used as treatments

More people are being treated with psychedelics. Normally these are highly illegal, but the Federal Health Office is issuing permits for their use in some cases.

They’re proving helpful for some who are suffering from depression and even long-covid.

The main drugs are psilocybin, which is found in magic mushrooms, MDMA, otherwise known as Ecstasy and LSD.

The use of the drugs is booming. In 2016, the government issued 12 permits for their use, last year it was 500. 

Psychiatrists say treatments with psychedelic drugs are promising – and Switzerland is a world leader in research, but stress no one should self-medicate and there are some conditions they can make worse, such as schizophrenia. 

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