MAPS Canada School of Psychedelics

Talk abstract

The field of psychedelic research has seen a revival in recent years that has yielded evidence for their therapeutic benefits. Psychedelic therapy is a breakthrough treatment option that may meet unmet needs in the treatment of mental disorders, including but not limited to treatment-resistant major depressive disorder, cancer- and illness-related anxiety and depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and substance use. Psychologists' perceptions of therapies are critical for future implementation, and their attitudes towards psychedelic therapy have seldomly been addressed in the literature, especially in Canada. It's important to assess opinions regarding this field as the preliminary evidence of the efficacy and safety of psychedelic therapy point to the potential for more psychedelics to become legal medical treatment options for mental health in Canada. The current study seeks to assess the perceptions of psychedelic therapy held by Canadian psychologists and graduate students in psychology programs through an online survey. The survey will assess knowledge of recent psychedelic therapy research and psychedelics generally, as well as opinions regarding the safety, risks, promise, acceptability, and merit for further research on psychedelics. This addition to the limited literature on the perceptions of psychedelics in Canada will contribute to the social sciences field by elucidating potential pathways and barriers for acceptance and use of psychedelic therapy by those positioned to administer this therapy.