Healthcare policy = Politiques de sante
May 1, 2023
Sarah Kratina, Christopher Lo, Carol Strike et al.
8 citations
Canada is moving toward enabling access to therapeutic psychedelics. Federal initiatives now allow case-by-case requests for psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) to treat enduring and intolerable psychological suffering (EIPS) linked to life-threatening conditions. Renewed research, promising clinical trial results, public and media interest, and recognition of traditional Indigenous use have shifted the narrative around these stigmatized substances. The lack of access to PATs for EIPS, particularly at end of life, is presented as a public policy problem needing attention.
Politics & Policy
January 24, 2026
Sarah Kratina, Robert Schwartz, Carol Strike et al.
2 citations
End-of-life psychological distress is not adequately addressed by current interventions in Canada. Stakeholders view psychedelic therapies as a potential option, though evidence is limited and evolving, with mixed opinions on safety and appropriateness. Federal regulations provide only limited access amid cautious regulatory changes. Provincial efforts in Alberta and Québec have made progress: Alberta adjusted regulations and insurance coverage, while Québec covered family physician costs for administering psychedelic interventions. Sociopolitical factors, including the judicial process and underground market, may significantly influence policy development. Political barriers remain significant despite partial merging of problem, policy, and politics streams.
PloS one
January 1, 2025
Sarah Kratina, Carol Strike, Robert Schwartz et al.
1 citation
Psychedelic substances show growing therapeutic potential for easing psychological suffering at the end of life, yet policy remains restrictive. Existing reviews have mostly covered psilocybin for anxiety and depression, but have not adequately addressed the range of substances (ayahuasca, psilocybin, ketamine) and therapeutic approaches (psychedelics alone or with psychotherapy) used specifically in end-of-life populations. This scoping review will follow Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines to search health science databases for empirical studies on psychedelic interventions, psychological suffering, and end-of-life issues. Extracted data will cover intervention details, participant characteristics, outcomes, and theorised mechanisms to inform future care strategies.
International Journal of Drug Policy
July 6, 2026
Sarah Kratina, Robert Schwartz, Carol Strike et al.
Canada's evolving approach to psychedelic interventions in palliative and end-of-life care marks a departure from historically prohibitionist policies, recognizing their therapeutic potential for end-of-life distress. This shift parallels international regulatory developments in the United States, Australia, and parts of Europe, where cautious policy liberalization signals growing clinical acceptance. Canada's formative role in modern palliative care, its holistic frameworks for end-of-life suffering, and experience with medical assistance in dying shape national conversations about suffering and autonomy. Federal flexibility, compassionate access mechanisms, and patient advocacy, combined with rising public demand and incremental provincial changes, position Canada along a transitional pathway toward clinical integration, though drug policy remains heterogeneous across substances and provinces.
October 27, 2023
Sarah Kratina, Christopher Lo, Robert Schwartz et al.
preprint
A scoping review protocol describes plans to comprehensively map the range of therapeutic psychedelic interventions reported in populations coping with life-threatening illness and end-of-life issues. The review will follow Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines to search for studies on psychedelic substances, psychological suffering, and end-of-life concerns. Data will be extracted on intervention details, participant characteristics, outcomes, theorized mechanisms, and sociocultural context. The insights aim to inform discussions about the role of psychedelic interventions for end-of-life populations.
Social science & medicine (1982)
February 1, 2026
Sarah Kratina, Carol Strike, Robert Schwartz et al.
A scoping review of 59 studies on six types of psychedelic substances for end-of-life psychological suffering found extraordinary variety in how these interventions are studied. Case study designs were most common. Interventions ranged from dosing alone to preparation, dosing, and integration, or dosing with psychotherapeutic support outside the tripartite model. Most studies reported challenging experiences, with many considering them therapeutic. Outcome measures spanned biopsychosocial-spiritual domains, with affective and cognitive-affective sub-domains most often assessed. Neurobiological mechanisms were reported in 54% of studies, psychological in 51%, and spiritual in 44%, indicating diverse therapeutic processes. The variability reflects an early, exploratory phase and differences in beliefs about how these interventions effect change.