MAPS Canada School of Psychedelics

Talk abstract

Background: Public health responses have emphasized the need to reduce opioid prescribing, taper patients to lower doses, or transition patients to alternative forms of pain management. However, many patients engaged in long-term opioid therapy are unsuccessful in attempts to taper and discontinue use, contributing to risk for ongoing opioid dependence, overdose, and lower quality of life. The combination of psychotherapy with pharmacotherapy is an effective way to support effective opioid tapering. Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a combination therapy that has shown initial promise for substance dependence, but has not been trialed in the context of opioid tapering. Aim: This is a pilot trial to assess the feasibility of a novel intervention to facilitate opioid tapering in chronic pain patients Methods: Participants are 10 patients from a local pain clinic who have at least one failed prior attempt to reduce opioid use and have no contraindications for psilocybin administration. The intervention combines a physician-supervised opioid tapering protocol with a 6-week psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy intervention. the study phases include extensive medical and psychological screening, preparatory therapy, 2 macrodose psilocybin sessions, integration therapy, and assessments. Health Canada has provided a No Objection Letter and Section 56 exemptions proceed with this study. Status: This study has received a No Objection Letter and Section 56 exemptions from Health Canada, and is in the final stages of ethics approval at UBC. We anticipate recruitment to start in early 2024. Potential Impacts: Although psilocybin-assisted therapy has been applied in alcohol and tobacco dependence, this study is groundbreaking in the treatment of problematic opioid use in the context of chronic pain. Addictions and chronic pain place enormous burden on the healthcare system. If this approach is effective in this population, the implications within the medical system could be tremendous.