Research, remedy and regulation: the changing dynamics of psychedelic therapy in Alberta
CBC
Earlier this month, in the last days of the Jason Kenney government, Alberta announced the first provincial regulations for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
There is growing interest into the potential of psychedelics for mental health treatment with studies popping up all over the world and in Canada.
Psychedelic drugs as defined by the province include psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms), MDMA (an amphetamine also called ecstasy or molly), mescaline (peyote) and ketamine.
Alberta's new regulations would require the providers to apply for a licence before treating patients with psychedelics for mental health disorders. A psychiatrist would have to oversee any treatment, according to the regulations taking effect in January.
"In order to fully realize the potential of this emerging field, we must have high standards of care in place to protect Albertans accessing care and ensure the legitimacy of the therapy," Mike Ellis, Alberta's then-associate minister of mental health and addictions, said in a news release on Oct. 5. Ellis became Minister of Public Safety during Friday's cabinet shuffle.
"These new quality standards create a strong foundation for the safe and effective use of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Alberta as this field advances."
But just what is happening within Alberta with psychedelic-assisted therapy? Here's what we found out.
Psychedelics have been explored to treat various mental health disorders.
Dr. Peter Silverstone, a professor of psychiatry at the University of Alberta and author of The Promise of Psychedelics, says there is evidence that taking the drugs can leave patients' brains more malleable and receptive to psychotherapy.
"I've been doing psychopharmacology drugs on the brain 35 years," he said.
"The reason I'm more excited by psychedelics than anything I've seen in my career is because they seem to impact brain plasticity."
Silverstone said the effect of the drugs can open a person's mind in unusual directions, sometimes leading to insightful experiences, but by themselves they are not inherently therapeutic.
Combined with psychotherapy sessions, however, they can produce results for the hardest to treat.
"I still practice psychiatry, and every day I see patients, I think, 'Oh, I wish I could have new tools.'
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