University Center for Psychiatric Research, University of Fribourg, Chemin du Cardinal-Journet 3, 1752 Villars-sur-Glâne, Switzerland.
3 papers in the library · 15 citations · publishing 2023-2026
JAMA Psychiatry May 31, 2023 Abigail Calder, Gregor Hasler 14 citations
Optimizing safety for patients and therapists during psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy requires specific methods. The Viewpoint proposes approaches to enhance safety in this therapeutic context.
June 7, 2024 Abigail Calder, Gregor Hasler 1 citation preprint
A new standardized tool, the Swiss Psychedelic Side Effects Inventory (SPSI), was developed to systematically record side effects of psychedelics and MDMA in clinical studies. The SPSI includes 32 side effects with follow-up questions on severity, duration, impact, and treatment-relatedness. It was pilot tested in 145 participants from three studies and refined with expert feedback. The tool is designed for any study design and can be used as an interview or self-report at any time after treatment. Its systematic approach aims to improve clinical decisions, informed consent, and patient safety by providing consistent side effect data.
Therapeutic advances in psychopharmacology January 1, 2026 Kristian Beichmann, Polina Catzeflis, Helena D Aicher et al.
In Switzerland, physicians provide psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) with psilocybin, LSD, or MDMA under case-by-case exemptions from the Federal Office of Public Health. An anonymous survey of 41 physicians found that PAT is used mainly for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and chronic pain. Most physicians work in private practices (82%) and use body-oriented (61%), psychodynamic (59%), and eclectic (54%) approaches. Psilocybin is the most used substance (85%), followed by MDMA (71%) and LSD (65.9%). Substance choice is linked to diagnosis: psilocybin for depression (54%) and substance use disorder (46%), MDMA for PTSD (86%) and anxiety (54%). Music is played in 90% of sessions. Group therapy is common; 42% provide both individual and group settings. Challenges include legal constraints, high patient expectations, and financial barriers.