New Zealand drugs regulator approves use of MDMA to treat severe PTSD

The Guardian Health Friday 04 September 2026, 04:27 UTC By Agence France-Presse 1 min read

Key Points

New Zealand decision follows Australian approval in 2023 of psychedelics to treat PTSD and treatment-resistant depressionTwo psychiatrists in New Zealand won approval on Friday to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade MDMA to people with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).The move by New Zealand’s pharmaceutical regulatory body Medsafe makes the country only the second worldwide to approve the party drug for use in treating PTSD, following Australia in 2023.

New Zealand decision follows Australian approval in 2023 of psychedelics to treat PTSD and treatment-resistant depression

Two psychiatrists in New Zealand won approval on Friday to prescribe pharmaceutical-grade MDMA to people with severe post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

The move by New Zealand’s pharmaceutical regulatory body Medsafe makes the country only the second worldwide to approve the party drug for use in treating PTSD, following Australia in 2023.

New Zealand (LOCATION) Australian (ORG) New Zealand’s (LOCATION) Medsafe (PERSON) Australia (LOCATION)

Originally published by The Guardian Health Read original →

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New Zealand drugs regulator approves use of MDMA to treat severe PTSD

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