Psilocybin has dominated psychedelic research as medical professionals seek answers to mental health disorders. Frontline healthcare workers like nurses and doctors are massively impacted by diagnoses like burnout, depression, substance abuse disorders, and suicidal behavior. Researchers have recently turned to psilocybin for answers on how to help these essential community members.
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A small-scope paper looked into the experience of five emergency service workers and paramedics who consumed psilocybin to stave off burnout. This research indicated a viable space for more inquiry, something currently underway in Canada.
Research highlights psilocybin for MDD
Health Canada okayed the second phase in a clinical trial focused on frontline healthcare workers. The trial is sponsored by the psychedelic therapy training center ATMA Journey and the publicly traded pharmaceutical company Optimi Health.
“This approval not only propels our clinical validation efforts in Canada but also underscores our unique position in the global psychedelics industry,” Bill Ciprick, Optimi Health’s chief executive officer, said in a statement. “We are thrilled to be partnering with ATMA on this groundbreaking study, which complements our ongoing collection of real-world evidence from patients in Australia.”
Phase I focused on 14 healthcare workers in good mental and physical health. This arm of research sought to assess the safety and tolerability of Optimi psilocybin capsules to inform practitioners who might one day be prescribing them. As research marches on, participant counts grow alongside the scope of inquiry.
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The clinical trial focuses on tackling major depressive disorder (MDD) caused by COVID-19. Healthcare workers will document side effects and safety notes about the experimental treatment. Participants are 18 to 65 years old, previously diagnosed with MDD, can swallow pills, and speak English. They also must currently be practicing and in office at some point from December 2019 to August 2022, the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Frontline healthcare workers bore the brunt of the stress and fear of the COVID-19 pandemic, providing care in times of deep uncertainty. It would be valuable to many if psilocybin might alleviate some of these issues for those who bore a burden in some of the most trying times.
