Alberta made history earlier this month when it became the first Canadian province to regulate psychedelic therapy. The new rules have drawn mixed reviews, with some praising the move as a step forward for mental health care and others expressing concern about the potential risks.
Psychedelic therapy is a promising treatment option for a variety of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and PTSD. While there is still much to learn about the efficacy of psychedelic therapy, preliminary research suggests that it could be a powerful tool for helping people heal from trauma.
On October 5, the provincial government announced a new policy that would regulate psychedelic drugs like psilocybin, psilocin, MDMA, LSD, mescaline, DMT, 5 methoxy DMT and ketamine as potential treatments for psychiatric disorders.
“Some of the strongest supporters are among first responders and veterans who suffer from high rates of PTSD and other mental health conditions. As a former police officer myself, I want to ensure that if there are promising practices to make life better for people with these conditions that we are supporting them in a professional way”, said Mike Ellis, Alberta’s associate minister of mental health and addictions.
Alberta Psychedelics-Assisted Therapy
The new regulations could be a game-changer for psychedelic therapy, which has slowly been gaining mainstream acceptance as an effective treatment method for various mental health disorders.
However, some experts are concerned that the Alberta government’s regulations may not be enough to protect patients from potential harms. For example, the new rules require that all psychedelic therapy sessions be supervised by a licensed health care professional, but there is no requirement for therapists to have specific training in psychedelic therapy.
This could lead to situations where patients are not adequately prepared for the experience or do not receive the proper support after the session. While Alberta’s regulations are a step in the right direction, more work needs to be done to ensure that patients are safe and supported while receiving psychedelic therapy.
The Alberta government was applauded by Optimi Health, a Canadian healthcare company that specializes in pharmaceutical psilocybin.
Some proponents fear that the new regulations may cause more problems than they solve. For example, Nick Kadysh, board chairman of Psychedelics Canada, said that the rules are too closely associated with psychiatrists.
In a recent interview with Postmedia, Kadysh stated that “any clinic has to have a psychiatrist responsible.” He went on to say that “any patient has to talk to a psychiatrist before getting access to these therapies and we just know that there is an incredibly long wait time for psychiatry services in Alberta. So it becomes a patient access issue,” as quoted by the Edmonton Journal.
Liam Bedard, the coordinator of Psychedelics Canada, agreed with that statement.
Although Health Canada illegalized these drugs, doctors and researchers can still apply to use them in clinical trials by getting special access to therapy or an exemption based on public interest.
To protect the patients, staff must constantly monitor them and immediately report any serious injuries or deaths to the government.
Alberta’s psychedelic laws are worth noting for their potential to decriminalize psychedelics in the near future. But what does the law say about psychedelics in Alberta? Please read this article by Tripsitter.
Alberta’s new regulations regarding the therapeutic use of psychedelics will go into effect on January 16, 2023.
