Psychedelic Medicine
What is Psychedelic Medicine?
The word psychedelic means mind (or soul) manifesting.
Plant medicines with these properties have been used for millenia, guided by shamans when the role of spirit guide and medicine person was one and the same.
In the 1950s, robust research began on the therapeutic benefit of psychedelic medicines to treat a wide variety of conditions including depression and addiction. Misinformation and misperception of risk of psychedelic medicine led to highly restrictive legislation. Both natural and synthetic psychedelic medicines (including cannabis, LSD, psilocybin, DMT) were categorized as illegal substances, halting this valuable research and criminalizing those who sought to work with these medicines.
Traditional wisdom keepers have carried the ancient and ancestral use of natural entheogenic teachers to present day, and the current psychedelic renaissance owes a gratitude to these people and their practices.
In 2000, Johns Hopkins University was the first to obtain regulatory approval to begin research of psychedelics in healthy volunteers. Scientific studies have since shown these substances to be beneficial for addiction, depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Psychedelics medicines can open our perception. With safe support, grounding and proper integration, these medicines can offer us supportive dynamic expansion of consciousness and self-awareness, including mystical states of being. This expanded perspective can allow for a first person experience of harmony and interconnectedness.
Psychedelic medicines need to be treated with respect, and eligibility must be carefully considered.
How can I access psychedelic medicine?
The Special Access Program (SAP) by Health Canada
The Special Access Program (sometimes referred to as the SAP) is Health Canada’s preferred pathway, outside of clinical trials, for patients in medical need to access legal psilocybin or MDMA assisted psychotherapy and psilocybin for medical purposes. Currently, these medicines are only available to clients with refractory major depressive disorder, and palliation/end of life.
As of January 5th, 2022, Prescribers (MDs and Nurse Practitioners) can now request psilocybin products from Health Canada approved manufactures, on behalf of their patients with a life-threatening or serious illness through the SAP.
Please connect with us for more information for eligibility and application.
What is Ketamine-Assisted Therapy?
Ketamine-assisted therapy (KAT) is a unique therapeutic method used to address a variety of mental health conditions.
It involves the use of ketamine, a schedule III medication with psychoactive properties. Ketamine has long been used safely as an anesthetic and analgesic agent. At lower doses, it has been used effectively for the treatment of depression, post-traumatic stress, chronic pain, addiction, and some forms of anxiety. Ketamine assisted therapy is also being explored for existential distress and depression at end of life/palliative care.
Why choose Ketamine Assisted Therapy?
The SAP process is a pathway only accessible to client’s with specific medical conditions, and applications through Health Canada may not be approved.
While working to support the decriminalization of these potentially life and health changing medicines, we can utilize and work with the currently accessible, safe, and research proven medicine Ketamine.
Why take an integrative and functional medicine approach to mental health and psychedelic medicine?
Holos offers a whole person integrative approach to support psychedelic assisted therapy. We understand that finding balance in our mental health necessitates exploration and balance in our body and spirit, as well.
We recognize that psychedelic assisted therapies work best when the psychedelic medicine is a part of a wider holistic treatment program.
This integrative & functional medicine program applies a system biology lens to healing, with focus on nervous system regulation, GI/gut function, food as medicine, cellular and mitochondrial health, movement, breath, sleep, community, and connection to our natural world.
This micro and macro approach to change recognizes that in order to truly integrate an expanded states of consciousness, we must maintain a body focused experienced. We must upgrade our “hardware” or storage capacity in the physical body.
Our integration process is a model of neuroplasticity, meaning we support your body and mind’s ability to change, slowly over time with focused attention and cellular support.
Client Flow with Ketamine Assisted Therapy
While Ketamine Assisted Therapy is highly individualized and based on your unique circumstances and needs, the start of a typical ketamine program at Holos includes:
Integrative & Functional Medicine Consultation OR Integrative Mental Health Consultation (required)
At least 2 Preparatory Sessions (required)
3 Ketamine Assisted Therapy Sessions
3-6 Integration Sessions (1-2 after each Ketamine session)
We recommend a commitment to at least 3-6 ketamine sessions, as this medicine tends to have a cumulative effect and is most beneficial after multiple treatments. In order to fully integrate the expanded states of awareness, consciousness and belief systems in our body and daily experience, we recommend an integrative and functional approach to mental health, alongside your ketamine program.
Psychedelic Assisted Medicine Fees
Ketamine Preparation Sessions MSI coverage
Ketamine assisted therapy session (IM) $425
Home ketamine assisted therapy $500
Ketamine Integration Sessions MSI coverage
SAP consultation and application for psilocybin assisted therapy $240
Small group ketamine assisted therapy (oral lozenge) $200-$380 (price varies by group size, clinical team)