Psychedelics to Relieve Psychological Suffering Associated with a Life-Threatening Diagnosis: Time for a Canadian Policy Discussion.

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.

Study at a glance

Abstract

In Canada, the conversation to enable access to therapeutic psychedelics is under way. With recent federal initiatives, Canadians can request access to psychedelic-assisted therapies (PATs) to alleviate enduring and intolerable psychological suffering (EIPS) associated with life-threatening conditions on a case-by-case basis. The resurgence of past research concerning the therapeutic potential of PATs, promising preliminary results from contemporary clinical trials, public and media interest and the recognition of traditional Indigenous use of psychedelics have facilitated a change in the popular narrative around these stigmatized substances. A lack of access to PATs for treating EIPS, especially at end of life, is a public policy problem worth addressing.