A doctor and psychologist say Health Canada’s decision to allow doctors to order restricted psychedelic drugs for patients as part of their psychotherapy is a positive step toward transforming mental health care.
But they say the recent change to the Special Access Program is not enough.
“We still have a lot of work to do because these drugs could really revolutionize the entire field of mental health care,” said Dr. Michael Verbora, who works as medical director at the Field Trip Health therapy center in Toronto.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of the science…but I really believe that if people have a process to initiate their own healing, it can lead to a much better world for most people.”
Assisted psychedelic therapy involves ingesting mind-altering substances, such as psilocybin, ketamine, LSD, or MDMA (the active ingredient in ecstasy), in a clinical setting as part of more traditional psychotherapy.
Health Canada has said requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis for a “serious or life-threatening condition” and when other conventional treatments have failed, are not suitable for the patient or are not available in Canada.
Verbora said that the change is not designed to have a waiting list, because it is intended for emergencies. Health Canada has said applications will be processed within two days, but it is unclear when a decision will be made.
What it has done is streamline potential access to restricted drugs, Verbora said.
“Unfortunately, if you’re terminally ill, you don’t have long to live. You don’t have time to apply to the government and wait months for a waiver.”
Edmonton-based psychologist Brian Welling calls the approach “revolutionary.”
“This is the biggest advance in mental health care since the invention of psychotherapy,” he said.
“I have used psychedelics many, many times. I did not have a serious or life-threatening condition, but due to my own personal issues and part of my own spiritual journey, these experiences have been life changing.
Verbora, who filed her first application on behalf of a patient this week, said one of the biggest challenges is that more doctors need education about psychedelic therapy.
“The onus really falls on the doctor to do all the paperwork, which is like writing 100 prescriptions in the time I do one of these apps,” he said. “Then I will have to access the medicine. I’ll have to store the drug. I will have to educate the patient about the drug.”
Ronan Levy, co-founder of Field Trip Health, said most but the most serious requests will likely be denied.
He said he hopes Health Canada’s criteria for approval of psychedelics will be expanded in the future.
The government has said the regulatory amendment does not indicate “an attempt to decriminalize or legalize restricted drugs.”
However, that conversation must begin, Verbora said.
“We have a long way to go to help the millions of people around the world who are sadly suffering from mental health issues and (their) growing burden.”
All three men suggest that can happen by removing the stigma around psychedelics.
“When it’s done in the right circumstances, with the right supervision, with trained doctors who can stand behind the experience, the results can be fantastic,” Levy said.
“That leads to people who have greater emotional resilience, people who are more able to adapt to circumstances like a global pandemic.”
This report from The Canadian Press was first published on January 15, 2022.
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