TheraPsil FAQ
About Therapsil
Therapsil is a coalition of healthcare practitioners, patients and advocates dedicated to fighting for the rights of Canadians in medical need to have legal access to psilocybin therapy.
Our main focus at this time is to support patients who have, or have had a life-threatening diagnosis (ie. current cancer patient or cancer survivor) to access legal, medically-supervised psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
Although we hope to eventually facilitate access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to all Canadians in medical need, we have decided to currently limit our support to those with end-of-life and illness-related distress, as this treatment has the most rigorous scientific evidence demonstrating therapeutic efficacy and safety. We also limit ourselves to helping only those facing end-of-life and illness-related distress at this time as we are a small non-profit with limited capacity. We must ensure we only expand our services in accordance with our means and ability to provide safe and equitable care and ensure a high standard of support is provided to each patient.
The TheraPsil coalition is made up of healthcare practitioners (including doctors, therapists, and nurses), researchers, policymakers, lawyers, advocates, and support staff. To learn more about the TheraPsil team, please click here.
Currently, TheraPsil facilitates two primary functions:
- Supporting qualified Canadians in navigating government processes to gain legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This may be through navigating the Special Access Program (SAP) or by requesting an exemption to section 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Connecting patients with trained and qualified healthcare practitioners who can support and facilitate their psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
In addition to supporting patients, and facilitating compassionate access to psilocybin- assisted psychotherapy, our mission includes public education, training for healthcare practitioners and therapists, and facilitating research.
- We do not advocate for the illegal use or possession of psilocybin.
- We do not help patients find a source of psilocybin containing mushrooms or advise on source options.
- We do not encourage or advocate for self-medicating (i.e taking psilocybin without medical or therapeutic. protocols), however, we may support patients who have self-medicated with psilocybin in the past and are now seeking legal access, and professional treatment.
- At the present moment, we do not treat patients, and we are not a clinic, however, we can help connect patients with qualified healthcare practitioners to facilitate treatment.
No, at this time TheraPsil does not provide treatment to patients; we facilitate two primary functions:
- Supporting qualified Canadians in navigating government processes to gain legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy. This may be through navigating the Special Access Program (SAP) or by requesting an exemption to section 56(1) of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
- Connecting patients with trained and qualified Healthcare Practitioners, working in their own private practice or clinic, who can support and facilitate psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
As of March 2021, TheraPsil has created and launched a psilocybin-assisted therapy training program for qualified Health Care Practitioners. TheraPsil has and continues to develop a pool of suitably trained and trusted TheraPsil Clinical Associates to whom we can refer patients. These clinician are often Therapists, Nurses, Socialworkers, Medical Doctors, Psychologists, etc.
Part of the benefit of a patient connecting to a TheraPsil Practitioner Associate is the guarantee that the practitioner is a part of a regulatory body, with a code of practice and ethics. They will have completed TheraPsil's training and will follow TheraPsil’s structured clinical protocol, including preparatory session, 2 sitters on the session day, integration, etc. With the practitioners being part of a regulatory body as well as associated with TheraPsil, it adds a level of safety.
To learn more about our training program visit our Training Webpage here.
About Psilocybin & Psilocybin-assisted Psychotherapy
Psilocybin is a compound found in many species of mushrooms that creates psychoactive and psychedelic effects, which may include alterations in sensation, cognition, and emotion. Psilocybin can be synthesized to better ensure the purity, potency, and accuracy of doses. Researchers use this synthetic form in their clinical trials. Psilocybin mushrooms may be more commonly referred to as 'magic mushrooms' or 'shrooms'.
No. TheraPsil does not, and legally cannot help patients or individuals procure ‘magic mushrooms’ or psilocybin in any form. Patients whose prescriber successfully receives special access to psilocybin on their behalf through the Special Access Program (SAP) may then be provided synthetic or natural psilocybin psilocybin directly from a regulated producer. At this time, we can only support patients to apply for section 56 exemptions who have their own source or means of procuring this fungus.
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy refers to the professionally guided use of psilocybin in combination with psychotherapy and differs greatly from the recreational use of psychedelics. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy involves a rigorous and clinically tested treatment protocol that encompasses careful medical oversight of the treatment session, as well as pre-and post-psychotherapy sessions that help prepare an individual for lasting healing.
The psychedelic psychotherapy process can be divided into three aspects; preparation, the treatment day, and integration.
To prepare, each patient is brought through a medical screening to ensure there are no medical contraindications and that psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is the best option for them.
Once medical sign off is given, the patient will take part in at least three preparatory psychotherapy sessions. These preparatory sessions are opportunities for the patient to build trusting relationships with their therapy team, investigate what might come up for them during their treatment day, build on an intention or goal and plan logistics for the treatment day. It is important to note that even if a patient has been granted legal access to psilocybin, this does not guarantee the treatment day will occur, as the therapist and the patient together must determine that the patient is fully ready and safe to have a psilocybin experience.
After the preparatory sessions are completed and the therapy team feels the patient is ready, the treatment session takes place. On the treatment day, the patient ingests psilocybin with the constant supervision and support of two trained psychotherapy sitters. The location of treatment varies - sometimes this can take place in a therapist's office, the patient’s own home or a medical setting depending on the needs of the patient. The patient often lays on a couch, wearing eye shades and headphones, listening to a curated playlist of music. The patient is encouraged to “trust, let go, and be open” and focus their attention on their inner experiences throughout the session. At any time throughout the session, the patient can choose to do things such as remove the eye shades, change positions, or speak with the practitioners if they feel called to do so. The practitioner will oblige to the patient’s wishes, but will likely continue to encourage the patient to go inward to experience the journey of the psilocybin therapy throughout the session. The psilocybin treatment day begins and ends gradually, with a slow and supported shift out of and back into normal consciousness.
After the treatment day the patient attends approximately three integration sessions, with the first often on the day following the medicine session. These sessions are all about supporting the patient in finding some understanding and meaning around their medicine journey, and assisting them to integrate the experiences from the medicine day into their lives. Integrating the psychedelic experience into one's life is often the most impactful part of the psychedelic psychotherapy process. Along with the structured integration sessions provided, other examples of integration may be journaling one's thoughts, sharing insights with social supports or noticing shifts in one's views or habitual patterns. Integration is an ongoing process that continues into the future of one's life post treatment.
Research shows that psilocybin can have profoundly positive effects on people facing the end of life. One dose of psilocybin, accompanied by psychotherapy, can help reduce the depression, anxiety, and hopelessness that is often associated with the end-of-life experience. Psilocybin itself can induce spiritual or mystical states, feelings of unity, a profound sense of love and acceptance for all that is. This treatment can increase a sense of spiritual connectedness and meaning in life, while at the same time reducing a desire to hasten death and the existential anxiety that is associated with facing the end of life.
Yes! All around the world groundbreaking research has been and is being done regarding psilocybin-therapy. This research has shown the effectiveness of psilocybin in combination with skilled psychotherapy to reduce depression, anxiety, and end-of-life distress for those living with a terminal illness, in palliative care or who are experiencing distress as a result of a life-threatening illness.
Foundational studies on psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can be found at the following links:
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial
- Individual Experiences in Four Cancer Patients Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy
We have amalgamated a bibliography of research, here.
TheraPsil is also contributing to current and future psilocybin research. Observational research studies have been designed in collaboration with researchers from McGill University, Northern Ontario School of Medicine, and the world’s first Psychedelic Research Centre at Imperial College, London. All eligible patients granted legal access to psilocybin therapy have the opportunity to take part in this research initiative. Find out more about past and present psilocybin research here.
Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is an active process that a patient must engage in, with intention. Like many things in life, you often get out what you put in. The more dedicated one is to their own preparation, experience and integration, the more likely positive results will incur and be sustained. No two psilocybin experiences are the same, and some patients may not experience the positive effects named above. For some, the experience is not life-changing. It is important to go into the psilocybin session with direction but without strong expectations, being open to whatever you experience.
As with all treatments, there are contraindications and risks. However, the medical literature suggests that psilocybin-assisted therapy can be a safe and effective treatment option for end-of-life distress, in comparison to other treatments. The safety profile of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is different from the recreational use of psychedelics as the treatment setting is carefully prepared, the psychotherapist works to prepare the patient, and monitor the session. Research also shows that psilocybin is not addictive. Rather, psilocybin is actually anti-addictive, meaning that some individuals who consume psilocybin tend to reduce their consumption of other substances.
There are physical and psychological reasons in which psilocybin therapy may not be a safe option for some people. TheraPsil ensures a healthcare prescriber oversees a medical screening before psilocybin therapy is pursued to ensure all contraindications are assessed.
While under the influence of psilocybin, an individual's consciousness is heavily altered. This can be a very vulnerable situation. This is why a solid foundation of trust between the therapist and the patient is of utmost importance. Patient’s supported by TheraPsil Practitioner Associates for their psilocybin treatment are provided many preparatory sessions to ensure trust and safety is established before the potential treatment day occurs.
You may have heard about psychedelics and the ominous “bad trip”. These so-called “bad trips” are often had when the proper support and planning is not in place surrounding an altered state, such as when one is at a social gathering or while using a psychedelic alone. A psilocybin experience can be physically and emotionally uncomfortable at times. Some patients report bouts of nausea, perspiration, tremors, fear, and anxiety when working through challenging experiences. Although it is important to note that within the supportive framework of psychotherapy, with two trusted and trained practitioners holding steady support for an individual, surrendering to and working through challenging experiences is often considered incredibly valuable and at times transformative.
Accessing Legal Psilocybin Therapy
TheraPsil supports Canadians experiencing end-of-life distress / existential distress as a result of a past or present terminal or life-threatening diagnosis, to exercise their charter right to seek compassionate treatment using psilocybin.
We do this by providing clear guidelines on our website for patients and their supporting practitioners to understand the ways in which they can approach pursuing each possible current avenue to access legal psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
TheraPsil provides a medical screening document called our Patient Inclusion Criteria (PIC) form that prescribing practitioners can utilize to ensure there are no medical contraindications and help guide them to decide if psilocybin is the right for you. TheraPsil also provides additional education and support to prescribing practitioners to help them complete these patient assessments.
TheraPsil can provide support to your prescribing healthcare practitioner if they are unfamiliar with the Special Access Program (SAP) and need support completing the paperwork.
If a practitioner successfully gains access to psilocybin for their patient through an SAP request, TheraPsil will refer patients to trained and qualified therapists working within their own private practices who can facilitate psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
If a patient does not have access to a clinical trial and an SAP request is submitted and denied or not suitable, TheraPsil can then guide that patient to apply to the Minister of Health for a section 56 exemption.
If a patient is successfully granted a section 56 exemption by the Minister of Health, TheraPsil will refer patients to trained and qualified therapists working within their own private practices who can facilitate psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
Direct your prescribing healthcare practitioner to visit our Support your patients page for instructions on how they can support you in pursuing access to legal psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy.
As of January 2020, TheraPsil supports Canadians who meet the following criteria.
- You are a resident of Canada over 19 years of age, with existential distress as a result of a past or present terminal or life-threatening diagnosis,
- As a result of your past or current diagnosis you experience psychological distress (anxiety/depression/demoralization/ hopelessness),
- Your emotional distress has not successfully responded to other treatments,
- You are interested in trying psilocybin-assisted therapy,
- You have a prescribing health care provider who will support you in applying for legal access to psilocybin-assisted therapy.
Although we hope to eventually provide support in accessing psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy to all Canadians in medical need, we have decided to currently limit our treatment scope to end-of-life and illness-related distress, as this treatment has the most rigorous scientific evidence demonstrating therapeutic efficacy and safety. We also limit ourselves to helping only those facing end-of-life and illness-related distress at this time as we are a small non-profit with limited capacity. We must ensure we only expand our services in accordance with our means and ability to provide safe and equitable care and ensure a high standard of support is provided to each patient.
If you, or someone you know, are interested in legal access to psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy, you can find out more about your options here.
TheraPsil’s team cannot guarantee the success of any request to Health Canada for legal access to psilocybin for us in conjunction with psychotherapy,
Unfortunately, no. We can only help individuals who currently hold permanent residency in Canada and have a provincial Health Card Number.
We are a non-profit patient advocacy organization. We guide individuals living in Canada, who meet our inclusion criteria, to apply for legal access to psilocybin via the Special Access Program (SAP) or for a section 56 exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA). When SAP applications or section 56 exemptions are approved, we refer patients to trained practitioners to provide this legal treatment.
The Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (CDSA) is Canada's federal drug control statute that prohibits activities related to controlled substances and precursor chemicals.
Section 56 of the CDSA states that:
“An exemption may be granted to allow a controlled substance or precursor to be used for specific scientific or medical purposes, or when it is determined to be in the public interest.”
This permits certain activities with controlled substances that would otherwise be illegal. Health Canada reviews each request on a case-by-case basis and considers all relevant information before making a decision.
Section 56.1 of the CDSA goes on to say that:
“The Minister (of Health) may grant an exemption if it’s believed to be necessary for medical or scientific purposes, or in public interest.”
This means that only the Minister has the authority under Section 56 to approve exemptions for controlled substances in Canada. And it further states that the Minister's decisions must be made public and that a reason must be provided for any refusals.
Section 56 exemptions are flawed for several reasons - most notably because wait times can be up to 300 days and patients have to source their own psilocybin from the illegal market.
The ‘Special Access Program’ (SAP) allows healthcare practitioners to request limited access for their patients to drugs that are not yet authorized for sale in Canada. For several years, Canadian healthcare providers have relied on this SAP to access otherwise unavailable drugs - particularly when traditional paths fail to yield positive outcomes. For example, the SAP might grant access to a not-yet-approved chemotherapy drug for a patient with a rare tumor or a new antiviral for a patient with long-standing, treatment-resistant HIV.
Prescribing healthcare professionals (e.g doctors or nurse practitioners) must request access to a drug through the SAP on behalf of a specific patient. The SAP request form is 8 pages long and requests practitioner information, drug and manufacturer information, patient information, and clinical rationale (including research) among other details. This request is approved on a patient-by-patient basis examining the individual needs of that patient to determine whether said patient could benefit from a drug that is not yet legally available in Canada. Currently, the SAP and Clinical Trials are Health Canada's preferred access route.
Typically, restricted drugs are not considered drugs with approved medical uses and are therefore excluded from the SAP. However, the efficacy and safety of certain restricted drugs for treatment of mental and physical illnesses have become more established in the present day.
Therefore, on January 5th, 2022, Health Canada amended the Food and Drug Regulations and the Narcotic Control Regulations (part of the CDSA) to allow psychedelic drugs (including psilocybin) to be included in the SAP.
Section 56 exemptions are now a secondary pathway to access, and only pursued if an SAP request has been denied.
The SAP is intended for patients who:
- Have a serious or life-threatening condition.
- Have not responded to conventional treatments (or, have no suitable treatment options for their condition).
Factors taken into account when determining eligibility include:
- The need for hospitalization or in-patient care
- The risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes
- The risk of persistent disability in absence of treatment
- The prognosis of the condition
Your request must be for treating a patient where conventional treatments:
- Have failed
- Are unsuitable
- Are not available in Canada
Funding
TheraPsil is a non-profit advocacy group and accepts donations from a variety of sources including for-profit organizations in the psychedelic and bio-science space, and private individuals through crowd-funding.
As a small non-profit we rely on donations to operate. We cannot continue to support Canadians in accessing legal psilocybin now or continue to advocate for the enactment of medical psilocybin regulations in the future, without support from people like you!
If you are supportive of the work our team is doing and want to see psilocybin legalized in Canada, please consider donating. Even small donations help those in need of psilocybin therapy in Canada be able to continue to receive our support.
You may have read press releases that mention an organization or company that has ‘sponsored’ or ‘supported’ TheraPsil. This simply means that this organization has generously donated to TheraPsil to support our work and mission. This support allows us to continue and accelerate our work, and maintain the day-to-day operations of TheraPsil.
Our donors have no impact or influence on TheraPsil’s strategy or motivations. Our agreements with these donors have and always will be ‘no strings attached. We are deeply committed to ethical and integrity-driven advocacy work that puts patients first - always. We appreciate the donations we have received and have never allowed financial support to sway or impact our clear mission and values.
No, TheraPsil is not a charity. We are, however, a registered non-profit organization.
TheraPsil Needs Your Support
To learn more about our advocacy efforts and how you can take action with us visit our Take Action webpage here.
If you are interested in supporting TheraPsil with a donation please visit our donate page, here. You can also contact us at donations@therapsil.ca. We appreciate your support immensely!
Follow us on social media on facebook, instagram, twitter, and youtube. Share our messages, tagging the Minister of Health, Jean-Yves Duclos, and your MP so we can continue to get the message out to these individuals.
Become an official member of TheraPsil. To join TheraPsil as a member, please fill out TheraPsil Membership Form 2021 and submit to support@therapsil.ca.
Register for our Webinar series where will amplify the voices of patients, healthcare professionals, and advocates, aiming to educate the public about the merits and limitations of psilocybin therapy, and advocating for regulatory change.
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