From Mind Expansion to Community Action: Why Psychedelic Education Matters
At the recent Healthspan Ecosystem Advancing Longevity - H.E.A.L. Summit in LA organized by Elias Arjan and sanaz abravani, I had the privilege of participating in a panel discussion on the future of psychedelics and the necessary structural changes that must occur before their widespread adoption. One crucial factor that we discussed was education: to truly fulfill the potential of psychedelic medicine, we need to prioritize educational initiatives and implement sound strategies that promote learning, continuing education, and comprehensive training programs for healthcare professionals at the collegiate level.
In my own experience, I recall that psychedelic pharmacology was only a segment covered in my psychiatric pharmacology course, and was largely portrayed through the narrow lens of addiction and illicit drug use. This was understandable, given that the resurgence of psychedelic medicine had not yet taken hold. An elective course on plant medicine provided a valuable supplement to my knowledge, but the growing prominence of psychedelic-assisted therapies necessitates a more concerted effort to equip healthcare professionals with the tools and resources they need to best serve their patients. Now that we’ve entered the "Psychedelic Renaissance", shouldn't the health and wellness community be collectively ENLIGHTENED?
Fortunately, there has been a notable uptick in accredited continuing education programs in recent months, and I welcome this trend with open arms. I believe that psychedelics should be integrated into core course material, rather than relegated to the status of an elective, and that we should prioritize mental health education from an early age; a conversation for another time. Furthermore, regulatory bodies paving the way for legalization and adoption, such as the FDA, Health Canada, and the EMA, must take a more proactive role in disseminating accurate and comprehensive information about psychedelics therapy and use, rather than focusing exclusively on adverse events and illicit recreational use or misuse. Education is the essential mortar that should bind this yellow brick road.
Given that our primary care physicians and pharmacists are often our first point of contact, it is essential that they have access to reliable information and training regarding psychedelic medicine. The ceremonial journey has its place and can be a very illuminating, thought provoking, and life altering experience, but not everyone can or even wishes to experience psychedelics this way, or can afford a retreat experience. We can also all agree that Dr. Google can be a less-than-reliable resource. By prioritizing education and investing in comprehensive training programs, we can equip healthcare providers with the tools they need to provide responsible advice and support to their patients. Empowering healthcare providers with psychedelic education is not just a means to expand their expertise, but also a crucial step towards paving a safer and more inclusive path to mental health for everyone.
As for myself, I am committed to contributing to the cause of psychedelic education and advocacy through various means, including creating educational content and strategies, speaking publicly, and publishing research. I believe that this is a vital component of the larger movement to leverage psychedelic medicine for the benefit of individuals and society as a whole.
