THE ACID TEST FOR ANXIETY

Anxiety is a modern epidemic. Officially it affects around one in four New Zealanders – but talk to anyone who works in our schools and universities and they will tell you the problem is far bigger than that. Young people are suffering and mental health services are struggling to help. Last year, one US study showed the percentage of 18- to 26-year-olds suffering from an anxiety disorder had doubled since 2008. And it seems that women are far more likely to experience psychological distress than men.

What if there was a new therapy for anxiety – non-invasive, no side effects, you’d barely even know you were on it except you felt calmer? What if that same treatment could work for depression and post-traumatic stress disorder, support the mental health of cancer patients, help in palliative care, control addiction, maybe even boost everyday mood and enhance work performance? Many people believe this potent remedy already exists – it is called microdosing and currently, it is against the law.

SO FAR THERE ISN’T MUCH