Health Canada Grants Limited Use of Psilocybin

Health Canada has granted limited use exemptions for the use of psilocybin a select group of Canadian health care professionals. The December 10th announcement allows professionals to possess and use psilocybin for personal training without risk of prosecution under the country’s drug laws based on the advocacy work of TheraPsil, a non-profit group that advocates for the therapeutic use of psilocybin.

“Psychedelic substances and treatment using these substances, such as psilocybin, is a growing area of scientific study and research. Because psilocybin is not an authorized therapeutic substance, the availability of rigorous scientific evidence demonstrating its safety and efficacy is limited,” Health Canada said in a statement to CBC News.

Backed by the efforts of advocacy group TheraPsil, the approved healthcare professionals include a number of disciplines, including counselors, GP’s and nurses, psychiatrists and social workers. TheraPsil’s tireless advocacy work has stretched for nearly 6 months to help deliver these exemptions.

As per Health Canada, these exemptions allow prescription or provision of psilocybin mushrooms to another person and there are no Health Canada approved drugs containing psilocybin. Health Canada’s granting of these exemptions does not constitute an opinion or endorsement of psilocybin-assisted treatment”

Terminal Cancer and Psilocybin

The decision comes after Health Canada gave 4 people with terminal cancer the right to psilocybin for end-of-life psychotherapy in August 2020. Since then, other exemptions have been given to patients who want to use magic mushrooms.

“This is not a small step. This is a seismic step,” said Dr. Sean O’Sullivan, a Tillsonburg, Ont., doctor and medical director of TheraPsil told CBC. “This is permission from the Ministry of Health and the Minister of Health to allow therapists to forward their own training in psychedelic medicine.”

Share Frshminds Content With Your Network