Psychedelics to Relieve Psychological Suffering Associated with a Life-Threatening Diagnosis: Time for a Canadian Policy Discussion.
Sarah Kratina, Christopher Lo, Carol Strike, Robert Schwartz, Brian Rush
Healthcare policy = Politiques de sante May 1, 2023 DOI: 10.12927/hcpol.2023.27048 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 8 |
| Key findings | The lack of access to psychedelic-assisted therapies for treating enduring and intolerable psychological suffering, especially at end of life, is a public policy problem worth addressing. |
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.