At the opening of The Devil Wears Prada musical, for which he wrote the score, Elton took to the stage to deliver an emotional speech. The 77-year-old said that while the performance had sounded good, he hadn’t been able to see it.

“As some of you may know I have had issues and now I have lost my sight. I haven’t been able to see the performance but I have enjoyed it,” said. “I love to hear it,” he added, to a chorus of applause.

Elton previously spoke about his trouble with an eye infection back in August when he told Good Morning America that he couldn’t see out of his right eye and that his left eye was “not the greatest”. He also said that he was struggling to read or watch anything and that his condition was keeping him out of the studio, where he was previously working on a new album. “It’s been a while since I’ve done anything,” he said. “There’s hope and encouragement that it will be okay, but I’m kind of stuck at the moment.” It seems that his condition has worsened since then.

Earlier this year, Elton also ruminated on nearing the end of his life in his documentary Elton John: Never Too Late. “This is the latter time of my life. I don’t know how much time I have left,” he said.

What causes an eye infection?

Like any infection, most eye infections are caused by bacteria. You can be exposed to this bacteria in a variety of ways, including not properly cleaning your contact lenses, touching germs on a surface and then touching your eyes, eye injuries and exposure to chemicals in swimming pools.

How common are eye infections?

Eye infections are common, affecting around one in 300 people every year. They do not become more common with age.

Some eye infections are relatively minor, like conjunctivitis. Others, like a corneal ulcer or Endophthalmitis can be more serious. Elton John has not specified what kind of eye infection he is suffering from.

How common is loss of eyesight?

It is estimated that over 13 million Australians (roughly 50 per cent of the population) have a chronic eye condition, but this includes minor conditions like long and short sightedness. 131,000 Australians have either complete or partial blindness, and visual impairment does become more common with age. Around 9.4 per cent of Australians aged over 55 suffer from visual impairment.

What can you do to reduce the risk of losing eyesight?

There are a number of ways you can reduce your risk of visual impairment. First and foremost, regular visits to an expert to get an eye exam is the best way to prevent loss of eyesight. Most eye infections can be cured before causing serious harm if they are detected early.

It is also important to remember that in Australia our eyes face heightened sun and UV exposure, which can be damaging. Wearing protective sunglasses is a simple way to combat this. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle and diet will also minimise the risk of developing a condition that can cause eye damage.

Lastly, and worryingly considering the increasing ubiquity of screens, reducing instances of eye strain (like reading a book or looking at your computer or phone for extended periods) will greatly reduce your risk of visual impairment.

Related:

6 things you do every day that destroy your eyesight

James Van Der Beek reveals colorectal cancer diagnosis

The post Elton John reveals he has lost his eyesight appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.

MEN’S HEALTH: So, uh, how’s your first year on the job going?

Josh Johnson: I’m really happy to be part of the news team in what could be the last year of America. I feel like I really slid into home.

Troy Iwata: I’m still learning on the job. There are so many times when I feel very ill equipped to be delivering political information to the masses. But we have really talented writers and producers who make me feel safe in what I’m saying. But it’s also inevitable that when you get a script, you have to put it through a bunch of filters. I need to remember that I’m the one saying it. I’m a mixed Asian gay dude. No matter what, that’s what people are going to see first. But that’s not a bad thing. It just challenges us to be smarter in how we write our jokes.

“A lot of OUR COMEDY comes from OUR GOVERNMENT or POLITICIANS making the MISTAKE of doing something out in the open.”

-TROY IWATA

MH: Where do you start when writing those jokes?

TI: We always search for the hypocrisy.

JJ: Very real journalists travel the world and risk their lives to uncover things that were supposed to be kept secret. But a lot of our comedy comes from our government or politicians making the mistake of doing something out in the open. Like when a Supreme Court decision basically says, “You can’t take bribes as an elected official, but you can take tips!” There’s something to be said for the boldness of not covering it up better. It’s terrifying, but also leaves it right out there to make fun of.

MH: And hypocrisy has always been a bipartisan issue.

JJ: In a weird way, even as a “divided” country we’re all unified in our collective exhaustion. It does voters a disservice to treat them as if they’re too stupid or lazy to care. It’s because they do care and they are watching that they’re so exhausted.

MH: Do your friends and family turn to you for news?

TI: No, my family turns to me to tell me what I should talk about on the show.

“I have a lot of takes, but I’m ALWAYS HONEST about the fact that it’s only HOW I FEEL based on the INFORMATION I have in that moment.”

-JOSH JOHNSON

MH: Which is?

TI: Whatever’s going on in their town.

JJ: I do have people who come to me, and I do think it’s a mistake. I have a lot of takes, but I’m always honest about the fact that it’s only how I feel based on the information I have in that moment. “Look, this is what I think, but I’ve only read two articles and watched a Vox video. I’m not an expert on the subject.” I think everyone’s political position should be metered, and as you get more information, the needle moves.

TI: Your intellect shines through in your comedy, which is probably why people come to you. The main response I get anytime I perform is: “I love your facial expressions!” No one has ever said anything about the words coming out of my mouth.

This article originally appeared on Men’s Health US

The post How to find humour in the US election appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.

You might even be tempted to add that you’re stressed, particularly if you want to elicit a more meaningful reply than, “Yeah, tell me about it” or to show how hard you’re working.

Being busy and stressed are states that not only help grease the wheels of open-plan office conversation, they’re also worn as badges of honour in many Australian workplaces.

But while some workers can give the impression that they’re on the verge of collapsing under the weight of their workload or impending deadlines in an effort to receive recognition or elicit sympathy, the tactic could be self-defeating, according to a new study from the University of Georgia.

In the study, people who brag about their stress levels were seen as less competent and less likeable by their co-workers.

“This is a behaviour we’ve all seen, and we all might be guilty of at some point,” says study author Jessica Rodell. “When I was wondering about why people do this, I thought maybe we are talking about our stress because we want to prove we’re good enough. We found out that often backfires.”

In an initial survey, 360 participants compared statements from imaginary co-workers who just returned from a conference. Participants rated their imaginary co-worker on likability, competence and the likelihood they would help the co-worker at work.

In the survey, the stress-bragging colleague – let’s call him Miserable Mike – described the conference as “Just one more thing on my full plate. And I was already stressed to the max … you have no idea the stress that I am under.”

Participants rated that person as significantly less likeable and less competent than someone – Positive Patrick, perhaps – who said work had been stressful or who just talked about how great the conference was. Participants also said they would be less likely to help the complaining co-worker if they were overburdened at work.

“People are harming themselves by doing this thing they think is going to make them look better to their colleagues,” Rodell says.

Similar results were found when the researchers surveyed an additional 218 real-life employees about their experiences with stress blowhards.

But here’s the thing, not only are stress-heads annoying, they’re also potentially hazardous – to your health. The researchers found employees with co-workers who stress-brag often reported higher levels of personal stress and burnout.

It seems bragging about stress creates the perception that chronic high-stress levels are an expected and normal part of the work culture, Rodell says.

“When somebody is constantly talking about and bragging about their stress, it makes it seem like it is a good thing to be stressed,” Rodell says. “It just spills over onto the co-worker next to them. They wind up feeling more stressed, which leads to higher burnout or withdrawal from their work. Think of it as this spiralling contagious effect from one person to the next.”

People who discussed their stress levels in passing or employees who were perceived as being stressed didn’t arouse the same resentment from their coworkers. And they didn’t stress their co-workers out.

“It’s not the being stressed part that’s a problem,” says Rodell. “We found that if I perceive you as stressed, I actually see you as more competent.”

The takeaway for employees is to think twice before boasting about their heavy workload or overloaded schedule, Rodell advises. “If you genuinely feel stressed, it’s okay to find the right confidant to share with and talk about it,” she says. “But be mindful that it is not a badge of honour to be bragged about – that will backfire. It’s not benign. It not only harms the bragging co-worker. If employees see somebody bragging about their stress, it will have a spillover effect that can have bigger implications for the workplace.”

Something to keep in mind next time a colleague asks if you’re busy.

Related:

5 Ways to Calm Down During Stressful Moments

5 signs you might be experiencing burnout

The post Are you a ‘stress bragger?’ appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.

The inception of Vana Care was no ordinary event; it was a moment of clarity born from the shared vision of two friends, Jesse and Jason. With Jason’s extensive background in the disability sector and Jesse’s involvement in the fitness industry, they recognized a gaping void in the traditional disability support system. The duo saw that real progress and empowerment for individuals with disabilities didn’t hinge on infrequent and isolated gym sessions but required a more integrated approach to promoting a healthy lifestyle.

Jesse and Jason’s innovative solution involved retraining personal trainers from Jesse’s gyms to serve not just as fitness coaches but as life coaches for individuals with disabilities. This pioneering approach went beyond the confines of the gym, encouraging activities that fostered independence and a healthier lifestyle, such as walking to local shops or choosing stairs over elevators.

The Impact of Vana Care: Transforming Lives and Communities

The impact of Vana Care’s program on its participants was both immediate and profound. Clients experienced not just physical benefits but also significant improvements in their confidence and overall quality of life. This holistic approach to disability support, which emphasized lifestyle over mere exercise, quickly garnered positive feedback and referrals, highlighting the effectiveness of Vana Care’s model. Jesse went on to share “Our internal motto is ‘Out Care’ the competition.”

Today, Vana Care stands as the highest-reviewed disability support service in South Australia, a testament to its innovative approach and the tangible difference it makes in the lives of its clients. With a dedicated team of 150 employees and an ever-expanding family of clients who view Vana Care as their second home, the organization’s growth reflects its success in creating inclusive and health-oriented communities. Jason Wisniewski went on to share “We’re big believers in taking risks on new things & experimenting with new ways to make our team’s lives better and empower them to do a better job for the people they support.”

Looking Ahead: Vana Care’s Vision for the Future

As Vana Care looks to the future, it remains committed to its founding principles of empowering individuals with disabilities through health and lifestyle support. The organization’s continuous growth and the positive reviews it receives are a clear indicator of its vital role in the community and the demand for its compassionate, innovative approach to disability support. Jesse states “A huge part of our success so far is listening to the people we support and knowing it’s better to put profit aside to focus on the people.”

Vana Care’s story, from its inception to its current success, serves as a powerful example of how innovative thinking and a genuine commitment to improving lives can reshape an entire sector. Jesse and Jason’s vision has not only transformed the way disability support is provided but has also set a new standard for integrating health and lifestyle improvement into the care and empowerment of individuals with disabilities.

A Movement Towards a Healthier, More Inclusive World

Vana Care’s journey is more than just a tale of organizational success; it is a movement towards a more inclusive and health-focused approach to disability support. Through its pioneering programs and dedicated team, Vana Care continues to champion the idea that every individual, regardless of their abilities, deserves the opportunity to lead a healthy, active, and fulfilling life. As Vana Care continues to grow and evolve, its impact on individuals, families, and communities serves as a beacon of hope and a testament to the power of compassion, innovation, and unwavering belief in human potential.

More information about Vana Care’s impact can be found at its website here.

This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider. 

The post Vana Care: Revolutionizing Disability Support with a Health-First Approach appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.

The 29-year-old Scot took back his SBD World’s Strongest Man title from Canadian Mitchell Hooper, who just edged out Stoltman for the top spot in 2023. The pair switched places for the 2024 contest, which was staged from May 1 to 5 in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Stoltman, representing Great Britain, won the hallowed strength sport championship for the third time with 53 points. Hooper was the runner up with 47.5 points, and the USA’s Evan Singleton rounded out the podium with 36 points. Stoltman won his first pair of titles in back-to-back victories in 2021 and 2022.

“I wasn’t going home without [the win] this year. Winning the title is special every time you win it, but to come back from losing it and to win it is extra special,” Stoltman said following the event. “I shocked myself getting the lead after the first day. I wasn’t favored to win three events so to come out on top for all three was a surprise. Anyone can beat anyone on any given day, but I think it came down to who wanted it most, and this year, I wanted it most.”

COURTESY OF WORLD’S STRONGEST MAN

Stoltman took the lead after the qualifying rounds of the competition and came out on top at end, with his strong performances across all six of the Final events cementing the win. He only took first in a single event—his specialty and the final event of the competition, the Atlas Stones – but finished in the top three for all the others. Notably, Stoltman, Hooper, and Canadian Wesley Derwinsky finished tied with a new world record of 7.76 meters in the Keg Toss, the final event of the penultimate day of competition. That broke a standard held by four-time champ Brian Shaw, who officially retired from competitive Strongman last year.

Stoltman positions himself as one of the all-time great World’s Strongest Man competitors with his third title in four years; he’s the first athlete from Great Britain to win three times. He and Hooper have emerged in the last few years as the top athletes in the sport, also sharing the podium at the Arnold Strongman Classic event (which Hooper won in 2023 and 2024). Both athletes are under 30 (Hooper is 28), which should position them – and fans of strength sports – for more tight battles for years to come.

via Men’s Health US

Related:

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The post Tom Stoltman wins the World’s Strongest Man 2024 crown appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.

This article is brought to you by Live With Lloyd

Today, the internet serves as a vast repository of fitness content, with many video guides, podcasts, and streaming platforms offering a wealth of resources to individuals at every stage of their fitness journey. From instructional workout videos to motivational podcasts and live-streamed fitness classes, the digital realm provides endless opportunities for people to explore different exercise modalities, learn from expert trainers, and connect with like-minded individuals on their path to wellness. One perfect example of this is Lloyd Pearson’s “Live with Lloyd” community.

Discovering fitness, wellness, and fun with Lloyd

This dynamic fitness world has brought many health-seeking viewers to Lloyd Pearson and his Live With Lloyd brand, which stands out in the crowded field of competitors. Live With Lloyd offers a unique perspective on holistic wellness and fitness, blending fun, entertainment, and empowerment in a way that resonates with those seeking a comprehensive and fulfilling fitness journey.

Consider, for instance, Lloyd’s innovative live dance classes, which have garnered widespread acclaim worldwide. Armed with only a microphone and a sweat-drenched shirt, Lloyd infuses his sessions with infectious energy and a passion for movement, inspiring viewers to stick with their fitness goals. Lloyd takes his viewers through fitness routines, strength training, and holistic lifestyle lessons that can shatter barriers and help them embrace the sheer joy of movement.

From parking lots to the world wide stage

Lloyd started teaching large fitness classes in parking lots in Montclair, NJ. He worked hard to grow until he achieved global recognition through his partnership with makeup guru Bobbi Brown. Lloyd’s passion for movement and his innovative approach to fitness led to the creation of Live With Lloyd on Zoom, where he offers live dance and workout classes that inspire thousands worldwide. His vision goes beyond fitness, aiming to build a community that uplifts and supports each other on their journey to optimal health and well-being. Through creativity, determination, and a commitment to empowerment, Lloyd has transformed Live With Lloyd into a leading destination for holistic wellness and fitness.

Find a wellness community in LWL

The transformation speaks volumes for those who have discovered their fitness and wellness community in Live With Lloyd. From the invigorating pulse of a dance class to the reflective moments of self-discovery, Live With Lloyd offers a holistic approach to health and wellness that extends well beyond the confines of the gym. Lloyd invites his audience to join him in a transformation of fitness and well-being, where empowerment intersects with entertainment and self-improvement intertwines with enjoyment.

Men’s Health Australia editorial staff were not involved in the creation of this content. This article is for informational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you are seeking medical advice, diagnosis or treatment, please consult a medical professional or healthcare provider. 

The post A growing audience finds wellness through “Live With Lloyd” appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.

I can’t think of a little boy in this country who ever imagined he would grow up to hurt those he cares about most. That’s why targeting these violent behaviours through a men’s health and wellbeing lens presents a vital and largely untapped approach to violence prevention. It’s a message I brought to the NSW Government after the Bondi Junction attack and one I’ll be taking to share at the crisis roundtable being convened this week in Canberra.

This is a missing angle in the conversation, and while some think it’s finding an excuse for men’s behaviour, that couldn’t be further from the truth. It’s a solution, and a much needed one. Seeking to further understand the drivers and risk factors of violence and finally start to actively engage men in a way that talks with them as change makers with skin in the game, is a moral imperative if we are to turn the tide.

We need to understand the rates of childhood maltreatment and trauma in boys and men. Those who grow up in domestically violent households are around four times more likely to perpetuate violence than those who don’t. Australian data estimates that over a third of domestic and family violence involved perpetrators drinking alcohol. Men’s suicidality is also a significant risk factor for intimate partner homicide. If you then add the impact of the porn and gambling industries in men’s lives, a stark picture appears.

These are typically not happy men. These are key forces undoing any progress we might be making on gender equality, and they are inextricably tied to men’s health and wellbeing. For years we’ve been overlooking the profound impact of men’s lived experience on violence perpetration, but if we don’t seek to understand what is going on for them, nothing will change.

In my clinical practice, men I talk to often explain that they feel blamed for the actions of others, for things they have never, and would never do. My response to them is that you don’t need to be part of the problem to be an active part of the solution. That’s where we need to get to. It’s an opportunity for growth and self-betterment.  Looking after yourself, checking in on your mates, being active and present in the lives of your children and loved ones – these actions improve health outcomes for men and contribute to women and girls feeling safer.

Instead of fixating on the wall-to-wall coverage of this crisis, we need to listen, amplify the voices of women, and get our arses into gear to realise what we can do in our own lives, to safeguard our own wellbeing and that of those we love most. Healthier men mean a healthier world for all.

There are millions of men and boys who would never consider harming their partner or families. There are incredible fathers, sons and brothers who would do anything to keep them safe and show nothing but care and compassion. They live on every street in every suburb across the country. As the majority, we need to feel part of the solution, we need to feel empowered to pick up the proverbial shovel and start digging.

I’m writing this, to encourage you to gather some courage to have those hard conversations with your mates you’re worried about – especially those who seem to be in freefall, reverting to their vices more than they have in the past. Taking action looks like lifting up your mates struggling to live healthily while being bombarded by social media, gambling ads, and alcohol in their daily lives. Taking action also looks like joining forces with advocates tackling these harmful, billion-dollar industries profiting off our collective misery. Most importantly, taking action means listening to and showing up for those who have experienced trauma or violence, ensuring they are not alone, to feel seen and understood, allowing them to choose healing over hurting.

Rallying for justice, for fairness, for the sake of the people we love, is built into men’s social DNA. But it’s important we realise that in advocating for the safety of the women and girls in our lives, we are actually also rallying for our own wellbeing, our own desire to live out our dreams as boys of being good, honourable, kind men. This is the bedrock of healthy masculinity.

So many guys tell me they feel like they don’t have purpose or meaning in their lives, that everything feels hopeless and they can’t seem to connect with others. Well, here is your opportunity to tap into something bigger than you. Let’s get marching men.

Related:

8 Behaviours That Might Be Precursors To Domestic Violence

Why Control Is A Slippery Slope Into Violence When It Comes To Relationships

The post Dr Zac Seidler on why men have a crucial role to play if we are to effectively tackle domestic violence appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.

Sometimes the doctor can hear the real-time outpourings of consciousness being altered and psyches re-shaped, as years of pain and trauma recede to reveal unique and profound insights. “I often sit here in my office and can hear somebody weeping for hours, or somebody laughing for hours, or both,” Liknaitzky says.

In a world first, Liknaitzky and his team recently trialled the use of psilocybin (the active ingredient found in ‘magic mushrooms’) to treat Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD). The results of the study will be published later this year, however, a glimpse into the two-year undertaking will feature in a documentary, screening on SBS, called Psychedelics: Stepping into the Unknown.

Liknaitzky speaks in measured tones about the outcomes of his trial but to a layman like myself, if they’re not mind blowing, they’re certainly mind changing. “The treatment was extremely useful and meaningful in the majority of participants on this trial,” says Liknaitzky. “And from many people, we heard that they experienced something like a new lease on life, like a new hope. Many people reported that it felt like the beginning of a new journey, one that would take considerable effort into their future, but it now felt like a future worth fighting for.”

In the placebo-controlled trial, the results showed participants given psilocybin saw substantially higher treatment benefits than the placebo group six weeks after their final dosing session, Liknaitzky says. It’s worth noting, he adds, that the placebo group were given nearly 40 hours of psychotherapy with two qualified clinicians, alongside an ‘active placebo’, in this case another drug that produces psychoactive effects during the eight-hour dosing days.

“So it’s not just a sugar pill, or a sham treatment, it is a lot of therapy,” says Liknaitzky. “And despite that, when we add psilocybin into the treatment, in addition to all of that other therapy, we’re getting about four times the rate of clinically substantial response, and about five times the rate of full anxiety remission.” Perhaps ‘mind blowing’ is the more fitting descriptor.

The trial adds to the growing body of evidence on the efficacy of psychedelics to treat mental health conditions and comes on the heels of last year’s decision by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to permit the use of psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression and for the use of MDMA in the treatment of post-traumatic stress disorder.

Liknaitzky, like many involved in the treatment of mental health in Australia, admits he was surprised by the TGA’s decision. “The psychedelic research field has progressed dramatically and rapidly over the last five years, but we still operate under the long shadow of Nixon’s war on drugs and the propaganda surrounding these substances,” he says. “So this was an unprecedented policy change.”

The move has catapulted Australia to the forefront of psychedelic research, a field Liknaitzky himself has been pioneering. “I set up the country’s first psychedelic lab in 2020, and while our colleagues overseas have been working in this field for over 20 years, we were relatively new in this space,” he says.

Dr Paul Liknaitzky I Image: Jackson Finter.

While many have expressed concerns that the TGA decision will usher in a wild west of shonky treatments and charlatans seeking profit and recognition, Liknaitzky is quick to emphasise that this recent trial was integrated in its approach, using psychotherapy to harness the power of psilocybin to unlock altered mental states.

“In terms of actually producing psychoactive effects on the dosing day, while everybody’s experience is quite unique and quite dissimilar, the vast majority of people do experience very intense, dramatic, altered states of consciousness that they will report as being among one of the most meaningful, and often, challenging experiences of their lives,” he says. “So in terms of a method that produces the kinds of altered states that we’re targeting, it’s incredibly reliable. In terms of getting benefit, that’s more complex, and that is where the whole augmented psychotherapy frame is important. A lot of people look at this as though it’s a drug treatment and that misunderstanding is perhaps the most damaging of them all.”

Focusing on the efficacy of psychedelics in isolation, he says, can lead to people believing that self-medicating can yield similar benefits and can be just as safe as clinically supported psychedelic treatment. And can lead professionals to underestimate what it takes to do a good job within this treatment approach. “Now, it’s not to say that self-medicating has no potential value, but we know a bit about it [self-medicating] in the wild, and the risks are far higher, and the benefit far lower and far less reliable.”

So, how does psilocybin work? Liknaitzky says the very distinct and often very personalised insights the drug appears to offer individuals may unlock a drive to work on making positive changes in their lives.

“One of the critical things that is happening with a psychedelic experience is that these profound lessons that people seem to acquire are delivered through a deeply felt, highly personalised, often visionary-type experience,” he says. “People will often report a kind of journey into other people’s minds, or into their distant past, or into a completely different perspective on reality. And they will discover, often towards the end of the [dosing] day, or maybe even in the weeks afterwards, that they were unwittingly playing a role in a grand kind of theatrical lesson for themselves. It’s quite phenomenal.”

This can lead patients to experience a new perspective on themselves, their problems, or the world, Liknaitzky adds. “Sometimes that’s in the form of radical empathy–we’ve had a number of people in this GAD study revisiting early traumatic experiences that they had and experiencing that, not only from the perspective of the young helpless mind, but with a very deep and wise compassion for the situation, for themselves, maybe even for the perpetrator of whatever was going on. And that compassion can set people free.”

This new perspective on past trauma can lead to “a waterfall of insight”, Liknaitzky says. The challenge then, for both patients and practitioners, is to utilise the profound breakthroughs of “dosing day” to drive lasting transformational change. “All you’ve got are thimbles to fill up and carry into the rest of your life,” he says of the potent but possibly fragile outcomes of dosing days. “Our job in psychedelic therapy is to turn those leaky little thimbles into giant buckets that you can use to carry those lessons onward into the rest of your life.”

Liknaitzky is optimistic about meeting that challenge, not least because the psychedelic experience often produces an agency and determination in patients to pursue positive changes in their lives that hitherto wasn’t there. “People report in the days, weeks, and sometimes months afterwards, that they feel aligned to their values and what’s important in life,” he says. “They feel motivated to make a difference. They have a sense of hope. It acts like a beacon to follow, because the other lesson that we’ve learned is that in most cases it is not a one and done. Generally there’s a lot of work that’s still to be done in order to change the way in which a person relates to themselves or the world.”

Ultimately, he says, the name ‘magic mushrooms’, is not quite a misnomer. “It’s magic in some respects, but it’s not a magic bullet. It’s remarkable what we can support to happen, in a short space of time, yet what that tends to represent for most people is a compelling, motivating invitation to fight for a better future.” In that sense, psychedelic treatments for mental health are not so much of a ‘trip’ as they are the beginning of a potentially life-changing journey.

To find out more about the nation-leading psychedelic research at Monash University, visit www.monash.edu/psychedelics

Psychedelics: Stepping into the Unknown, the final instalment in the new season of Australia Uncovered, premieres on Thursday 29 February on SBS and SBS On Demand from 8:40pm.

Related:

Are magic mushrooms a breakthrough treatment against the scourge of depression?

Hallucinogen therapy: don’t swallow all the hype around magic mushrooms yet

The post The power and possibility of psychedelic drugs to treat mental health appeared first on Men's Health Magazine Australia.