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