Psychedelic therapy is gaining traction as research highlights its potential to treat mental health issues like PTSD and depression, but regulatory hurdles and stigma keep it from being widely available. This episode of The Sunday Story explores the latest science, the push to mainstream these treatments, and the role of ketamine in the conversation.

Editor’s Note: Psychedelics could revolutionize mental health care, but legal and cultural barriers are slowing progress. This story matters because it sheds light on a promising—yet controversial—avenue for treating conditions that often resist conventional therapies. If these treatments go mainstream, they could offer hope to millions struggling with mental illness.

A former shopping addict is calling for greater recognition and support for compulsive buying disorders, arguing that the issue is often dismissed as frivolous when it can have serious financial and mental health consequences. They highlight the lack of specialized NHS resources to help people struggling with this addiction, despite its similarities to other behavioral disorders like gambling.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has been prescribing a risky combination of powerful drugs—dubbed the "Combat Cocktail"—to treat veterans with PTSD, despite concerns from both patients and doctors. Many veterans say they don’t want this treatment, and medical professionals warn it increases suicide risk. Yet, hundreds of thousands continue to receive it.

Tim Hull, a man living with a rare neurological condition, has decided to stop taking his life-saving medication after growing exhausted by his ongoing struggle to access proper NHS care. He describes his current quality of life as "very, very low," highlighting the emotional and bureaucratic toll of fighting for basic healthcare support.

Comedian Sara Pascoe opens up about the challenges of balancing parenthood and relationships in her forties, admitting she’s unsure how couples make it work. In a candid reflection, she shares the struggles she’s faced as a new mom, blending humor with raw honesty about the realities of postpartum life.