Ontario’s Psychedelic Playground: A Systematic Assessment of Evidence Supporting Prescription from Clinic Websites
Author(s): Kate Kim, Braden O’Neill
Description:
This research delves into the field of psychedelic therapy, focusing on clinics in Ontario, Canada, that advocate for the medicinal use of psychedelics, such as ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin, to address various mental health conditions. Despite recreational use restrictions, medicinal exemptions allow the exploration of these substances for therapeutic purposes. The study's objective was to scrutinize the indications for which psychedelics are prescribed in Ontario clinics and evaluate the quality of evidence supporting these claims.
Conducting internet searches, the researchers identified 10 psychedelic clinics meeting specific inclusion criteria. These clinics promoted psychedelics for 47 medical conditions, with depression being the most common. Interestingly, only 2 out of the 10 clinics discussed potential risks associated with psychedelic use. The study appraised 29 cited studies, revealing a predominance of "level 4" evidence, consisting mainly of case-series and case-control studies, indicating low to moderate quality.
This investigation sheds light on the need for transparency and high-quality evidence in the psychedelic therapy landscape. The findings underscore the diverse medical indications endorsed by Ontario clinics, relying on evidence of varying quality. Moreover, the limited information on potential adverse effects emphasizes the importance of informed and cautious use of psychedelics in mental health treatments. The study advocates for a more rigorous and evidence-based approach to ensure the safety and efficacy of psychedelics in therapeutic contexts.