#883: How to Legalize Medical Psychedelics in Your Country — Tania de Jong on The Playbook Behind Australia's World-First Breakthrough

Tania de Jong is a soprano, entrepreneur, and the co-founder of Mind Medicine Australia. Her organization recently achieved a world-first breakthrough: Australia is now the first country in the world to allow MDMA and psilocybin to be prescribed for psychiatric conditions. This was a huge moment that took the whole world by surprise. Tania joins Tim Ferriss to discuss the playbook behind this achievement, offering insights for anyone trying to get something big off the ground, especially when the deck is stacked against them.

The Genesis of a Movement

Tania's journey into the world of psychedelics began unexpectedly. In 2015, she stumbled upon Tim Ferriss's blog, specifically an article about Michael Pollan's book, "How to Change Your Mind." This was a pivotal moment for Tania, who, despite having no background in psychedelic research or even recreational drug use, felt an immediate pull towards the potential of these substances. She shared the article with her husband, Peter, who, after some initial skepticism, suggested they explore getting into a clinical trial. Their first attempt to join a trial in Europe was unsuccessful because they didn't have a mental illness diagnosis, which was a prerequisite. However, this setback led them to connect with Professor Robin Carhart-Harris, a leading figure in psychedelic research, who then introduced them to a guide in the Netherlands.

In 2016, Tania and Peter embarked on their first psychedelic experience with a large dose of psilocybin. Tania admits she was