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.
Psychedelic therapies show promise for psychological suffering at the end of life, but focusing too much on them may exaggerate the current evidence and pull resources from proven programs. The more urgent policy priority is to fix inequities in access to early, high-quality palliative and psychosocial care. Any discussion of expanding psychedelic access must also center equity concerns.