Researchers at Victoria University are studying a hallucinogenic drug they believe may hold the key to helping people defeat addiction.
The researchers and a chemist from the University of Kansas in the United States are investigating ways of altering people's perception of mood, reward and pain to help prevent addicts from relapsing.
A senior lecturer in the School of Biological Sciences, Bronwyn Kivell, says they're focusing on a hallucinogen known as salvia, or Mexican tripping weed.
She says the drug has a unique structure and contains compounds which they think could reduce cravings.
Dr Kivell says the compounds could ultimately form the basis for anti-addiction medication.
