Ethics and Psychedelics Research and Regulations

with

Host, Andrea Frolic

and special guest

James Downar, MDCM, MHSc, FRCPC

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

What surprised you about psychedelics research and its potentials in treating end-of-life patients’ psychological distress?

Dr. Downar describes several challenges associated with conducting research with psychedelics for treatment of psychological distress in end-of-life patients. Do you think that the regulatory barriers to research on psychedelics are ethically justifiable?

Do you think it is morally imperative to be more risk tolerant when it comes to making psychedelics accessible to end-of -life patients as a way of treating psychological distress?

RESOURCES

Kratina S, Lo C, Strike C, Schwartz R, Rush B. Psychedelics to Relieve Psychological Suffering Associated with a Life-Threatening Diagnosis: Time for a Canadian Policy Discussion. Health Policy. 2023;18(4):134-142. doi:10.12927/hcpol.2023.27048

Watt CL, Downar J. Whither palliative care. Curr Oncol. 2019;26(3):164-165. doi:10.3747/co.26.4803

Podcasts: Psychedelics: Is it time to change your mind… The Critical Care Commute Podcast. https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/psychedelics-is-it-time-to-change-your-mind-with-dr/id1651920943?i=1000715746659

Ethics and Psychedelics Research Discussion Qs and ResourcesDownload