Psychedelics 101
The main active ingredients in hallucinogenic mushrooms that gives its users hallucinations
Psilocybin and psilocin
You are now a qualified Psychedelic therapist so you start dosing as many clients as you can.
Ethical or unethical?
Unethical.
Psychedelic Therapy is not something that is appropriate to give to everyone. Careful consideration is necessary to determine if it could benefit your client.
Any counsellor can partake in Psychedelic Therapy in Canada without additional Training.
FALSE:
When looking for an increased understanding of working with Psychedelics, it is required that RCCs participate in a robust training course as noted in the Standard of Clinical Practice 2: Competence and Quality Assurance. (Mocanu et al., 2022, Rochester, et.al., 2021)
Can Health Care Practitioners administer drugs they received from their buddy because they got a real deadly deal on it?
No. Health care practitioners need to apply for access to psychedelic drugs through Health Canada's Special Access Program (SAP) for the purposes of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
SAP will ask for details including:
The two reasons why someone would be approved for psychedelic therapy influenced by Psilocybin.
The two specific reasons are for end of life existential crisis and treatment resistant depression.
Cory decides he would like to try psychedelic therapy. His counsellor asked him if he would be interested in touch therapy while experiencing the effects of the drug, he declines. Half an hour after ingesting the drug he changes his mind and says he would like to try the touch therapy now. He says he is currently not feeling any of the effects of the drug. What should the Therapist do?
No!
Even if he is still not feeling the effects of the drug, he has ingested the drug so it would not be appropriate to consider he is of a sober mind. The best plan of action would be to bring it up with him the following appointment when he is sober so you can talk more in-depth what touch therapy all includes.
Clients should drive home after the psychedelic sessions because it greatly shows their independence.
Believe it or not, this is actually false. Driving while inebriated on psychedelics could result in the driver getting a DUI. The therapist should always make sure the client has a safe way to get home.
How long should a session be when your client is on psychedelics?
There are several factors that could impact the time including counsellor preference, client preference, or which substance is being administered. Time frames can greatly vary.
These are the time frames for the "Calgary Psychedelic Psychotherapy Clinic":
Name three psychedelic drugs used for therapy in Alberta!
Psychedelic drugs include Mushrooms (Psilocybin, psilocin), MDMA, LSD, mescaline (peyote), DMT, 5 methoxy DMT and ketamine (Government of Alberta, 2021).
You dose your client, half an hour later he is screaming he will kill himself so you call the cops in hopes they can take him to a ward until he sobers up.
Ethical or Unethical?
Ethical.
Death is permanent, so, ensuring they do not make that decision while inebriated under your supervision takes priority and would be considered harm reduction.
Mushrooms are considered a Schedule I drug meaning they have a high potential for abuse with little to no medicinal effects along with Cocaine and heroin
False. "Psilocybin is listed in Schedule III of the CDSA, This means that unauthorized possession can lead to criminal charges. There are also potential penalties of up to three years’ imprisonment if prosecuted as an indictable offence. There can also be fines and shorter jail terms on summary conviction" (Staff, 2025).
Can Psychedelic therapists administer the drugs themselves?
No! They need to be administered a medical physician or a registered psychiatrist.
This commonly used substance in psychedelic therapy within Canada is also known as "Horse Tranquilizer."
Ketamine. This name strongly misrepresents the substance. Ketamine could be very beneficial in a public health setting.
There are 3 types of Ketamine. R-Ketamine, S-Ketamine, and Racemic Ketamine. Racemic Ketamine consists of equal parts of both R and S-Ketamine.
R-Ketamine: Reduces symptoms of depression. these benefits work more longer term than the other ketamine options
S-Ketamine: Acts as an antidepressant and enhances the mood very rapidly. this is very beneficial for patients who are suicidal or experiencing intense depression.
Racemic: Racemic Ketamine consists of equal parts of both R and S-Ketamine. shortly after ingestion, users experience drastic mood-enhancing changes as well as more longer-lasting effects (Isha Health, 2022)
The first province/ Territory to implement regulations around psychedelic assisted therapy.
Alberta! in 2023 Alberta was the first province to make this step! As of today, we are the only province who has regulations around this therapy.
The maximum legal amount you can dose your client, in Alberta, with mushrooms, is 5 grams per session.
There has been no restrictions set in place with how much you can dose your client with mushrooms by either the Government of Alberta or the Government of Canada.
How many ways can a clinician attain approval for the use of psychedelic therapy in Canada?
There are three ways to attain approval. this includes:
1. Clinical trials
2. Special Access Program
3. case-by-case basis approved by the minister of health
The CIA used to dose unknowing suspects with this drug which would sometimes last 12-15 hours
LSD
Who is not allowed to run a Psychedelic therapy session?
Registered Psychologists
Registered Social Workers
Those with a Addictions and Mental Health degree
Psychedelic therapy in Alberta needs to be run by a college regulated therapist. In AB that is specifically Registered Psychologists or Registered Social Workers. This is due to the complexity of clients with a variety of mental health conditions and potential drug interactions.
A therapist can also dose themselves when on a psychedelic session with their client.
False.
To become a Psychedelic Therapist in Canada you need a degree in Psychology. True or false?
False!
Step 1: Have a Mental Health or Adjacent Background
Step 2: Complete Accredited Training
Step 3: Work Within Legal and Ethical Frameworks (Numinus, 2025).