Is MDMA legal in Australia? Jana Hocking’s friends take the drug to fix their marriage issues

It takes a lot to shock me, but there’s a truly wild ‘remedy’ couples are turning to, to fix their marriage, and I for one am shook. It’s highly illegal, very dubious, and if I’m honest, a real darn gamble with your health, but apparently the results don’t lie.

It came to my attention the other night at dinner when a married couple in my friendship group revealed the extreme way they saved their marriage from the brink of divorce: taking MDMA together.

Like many of us, they came out of the pandemic very haggard, and in their own words ‘absolutely hating each other’. The wife even said that his loud nasal breathing was enough to send her into an absolute rage.

They had tried marriage counselling, but their busy schedules and high mortgage fees couldn’t afford them the ‘luxury’ of attending a weekly session.

On this psychedelic however, there was no shouting, no shutting down, no ranting and raving. Just talking and listening. Properly listening, Jana says (stock image)

So when they found a study that revealed that the drug MDMA (also known as ecstasy or molly) can have an incredible effect on breaking down barriers, dissolving fears, allowing you to speak openly and honestly and have strong empathetic and loving feelings towards each other, they thought… well let’s give this a go before we sign those divorce papers.

And to put it simply… it worked. Now before I tell you their story, I should really state that I don’t condone this practice. Lord knows what goes into drugs bought off the streets. Watch any report on illegal drugs and it will freak you the heck out. Nevertheless, here’s how it played out…

They decided to hire a babysitter for the night, treated themselves to a very fancy hotel stay, found a drug dealer who supplied them with this highly illegal substance and locked themselves in for a night.

Slightly nervous, considering they hadn’t touched a ‘party drug’ since they were at university 15 years earlier, they worried they were taking things to far. Here were two parents with sturdy jobs, a mortgage, two kids and literally a white picket fence. What the heck were they doing on a Saturday night holed up in a hotel with a bottle of champagne and some grade-A drugs?

Is MDMA legal in Australia? 

Authorised psychiatrists can prescribe products containing 3,4‑methylenedioxy‑methamphetamine (MDMA) or psilocybin for specific mental health conditions from 1 July 2023.

MDMA may be used for the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Psilocybin may be used for treatment-resistant depression.

The decision maker recognised there is a need for access to new therapies for treatment-resistant conditions such as treatment-resistant depression (TRD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Psychotherapy involving psilocybin and MDMA has shown to be potentially beneficial in the treatment of these conditions. 

However, as with all medicines, there are risks with psilocybin and MDMA. Although these substances are themselves relatively safe when administered in the doses used in conjunction with psychotherapy and in a medically controlled environment, patients are in an altered state of consciousness when undergoing psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy. 

The decisions were made because the benefits for some patients from treatment with psilocybin or MDMA under the supervision of an authorised psychiatrist will outweigh the risks. 

Source: TGA 

After a brief discussion on whether they should back out, they decided to throw caution to the wind and give their marriage one final go. Both agreeing that if this didn’t work, they would part ways knowing they had given it their best shot. Sheesh talk about a make-or-break weekend!

They popped the champagne, nervously poured themselves a glass, downed it, poured another one and then felt the courage to take the next step. They crushed the crystals into a fine powder, rolled up a bank note, and each took a turn in snort a line of the finely crushed powder up their noses.

They were so nervous they decided to take a calming hot bath and wait for the effect to kick in. After a few minutes they were worried they hadn’t taken enough, but a little while later they felt like naughty teenagers.

They then spent the next couple of hours just talking and talking and talking. They noticed they weren’t shouting at each other, but really listening what each other had to say. They cried together, held each other, and made love.

They then spent the next couple of hours just talking and talking and talking. They noticed they weren’t shouting at each other, but really listening what each other had to say. They cried together, held each other, and made love

Previously when they had tried to have a discussion about the shocking state of their marriage, she would find herself angry and loud, he would shut down and say nothing. They were butting heads constantly and never finding a resolution. On this psychedelic however, there was no shouting, no shutting down, no ranting and raving. Just talking and listening. Properly listening.

And it turns out the Therapeutic Goods Association have been listening to the positive effects this substance has had as well, because in February the TGA announced that MDMA and psilocybin – the active ingredient in magic mushrooms – would be reclassified in July to allow them to be prescribed by psychiatrists to treat patients with post-traumatic stress disorder and treatment-resistant depression.

So before anyone with a dud marriage gets too excited, no, it won’t be legal to use for relationship issues, but I find it fascinating that our medical community are looking at this ‘party drug’ as something that could help a tormented mind. Obviously made in a proper clean lab, with no added nasties. Whatever will they discover next…

MDMA will be a Prescription Only medicine and is dangerous and potentially lethal for those who take it recreationally. It is illegal to take it without a prescription and should never be done so. Always speak to your GP before taking any drug or medicine.