This observational cohort study (n=100) aims to assess the efficacy of psychedelics, including psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, and ketamine, for improving measures of wellness.
The study is conducted by the Canadian Forces Health Services Centre Ottawa and started in July 2022, with an estimated completion date in August 2025. The primary objective is to measure self-reported treatment effects of psychedelics for non-recreational purposes, specifically to self-medicate and alleviate symptoms of suffering. The research follows a retrospective self-report study design, focusing on a composite score of patient global perception, pain, function, and mood as measures of wellness.
The study involves 50 non-active military participants aged 18 to 99, recruited based on self-reports of past psychedelic medicine use for therapeutic purposes in the last 3 years. The retrospective survey will collect data on demographics, medical history, indications for use, adverse events, and various outcome measures. Risks are considered minimal, participation is voluntary, and anonymity is maintained. The study aims to provide insights into emerging treatments and potentially improve the quality of care for patients with various types of suffering, including those in the Canadian Forces with high rates of comorbid pain and mental health issues.
Trial Details
Previous research has largely focused on treating specific diagnostics groups such as depression, chronic pain, anxiety disorders with various approaches. With the significant overlap in symptomology with respect to diagnostic criteria and the presence of comorbidity, the results are challenging to extrapolate to real world applications. Therefore many authors have argued relying less on specific diagnoses, and instead focus on wellness, where symptom clusters or so called dimensions are explored independently. The WHO constitution states: "Health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." An important implication of this definition is that health is more than just the absence of disorders or disabilities. Health is a state of well-being in which an individual realizes his or her own abilities, can cope with the normal stresses of life, can work productively and is able to contribute to his or her community. Research Objective: In the current research investigators seek to measure the self-reported treatment effects of psychedelics (Psilocybin, 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine, N,N-Dimethyltryptamine, Lysergic Acid Diethylamide and Ketamine) for non recreational purposes (i.e., to self-medicate to ameliorate symptoms of suffering). Investigators will use a composite score of patient global perception, along with pain, function and mood scores as the measure of wellness, an approach to measurement which has not been done to date. Investigators follow previous work in this area, using a patient retrospective self-report study design, allowing for a safe way to develop further evidence in this area of care. Participants and Procedure: 50 non active military participants not under the care of Dr. Gupta will be recruited through word of mouth and advertising to self-identify as having used psychedelic medicine for non recreational purposes (Appendix B recruitment letter). In addition to demographic information, they will be asked to complete the PGIC and anxiety, mood, pain and disability subscales, PEG, HADS and DI, provide information on their past medical history, nature/indications for use, and adverse events. This data will be collected once per participant and they will be able to speak with a research associate if further clarification if necessary at anytime. Risks and Risk Mitigation: Participation in this study is voluntary and volunteers can withdraw consent at any time or skip any question they would prefer not to answer without having any effect on access to future medical care. Due to the nature of this study there are no additional associated risks. Patients can ask to be contacted by the research team should they wish to discuss any concerns, but will be apprised that this will breach their anonymity. The PI agree to maintain accurate and secure records. The spreadsheet generated from this data will be password protected and anonymized. Only the research team will have access to this data and no patients will be identifiable unless they provide contact information requesting follow up. Benefits and Military Significance: Outcomes of this project could potentially improve the quality of care for patients with various types of suffering by providing initial insights into these emerging treatments. The Canadian Forces specifically has considerably high rates of patients with comorbid pain and mental health issues. Therefore determining the impact on wellness could lead to further validation of treatments to improve quality of life, personal and occupational function.Trial Number NCT05469243