Psychedelics - FAQs

The word “psychedelic” comes from Greek words meaning “mind manifesting” or “mind revealing.” It’s an umbrella term used to describe a variety of substances, some synthetic and others naturally occurring. Commonly known psychedelics include psilocybin (the chemical component of “magic mushrooms”), MDMA (ecstasy / molly), and LSD (acid). Ketamine, while very different chemically, is often considered a psychedelic as well.  

Like many psychoactive substances (for example alcohol, cannabis, or opioids), psychedelics affect a person’s senses, thinking, and mood. They can induce a range of psychological effects, which can be quite potent depending on the substance and the dose. What sets psychedelics apart from other substances is that they can produce what is often referred to as “non-ordinary” or “altered” states of consciousness.  

People use psychedelics for many reasons, including recreational, therapeutic, and spiritual / cultural.

In Canada, psychedelics are illegal except in very specific circumstances. Ketamine is permitted for certain medical and therapeutic uses, and physicians and scientists are able to request that Health Canada grant access to psilocybin and MDMA for scientific purposes – or, in rare cases, to treat patients with life-threatening conditions who have not responded to other available treatments. 

Selling or purchasing psychedelics online is illegal, and the storefronts or “dispensaries” that have appeared in some Canadian cities are illegal as well. 

Research into psychedelics as emerging treatments in medicine is ongoing. Psychedelics are often promoted as remedies for numerous conditions for which there is no evidence of effectiveness at all. However, there have been promising results for the following psychedelics and conditions: 

• Ketamine: treatment-resistant depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), some substance use disorders, and anxiety disorders 
• LSD: some substance use disorders, generalized anxiety disorder 
• MDMA: PTSD 
• Psilocybin: end-of-life distress, depressive disorders, PTSD, some substance use disorders 

Microdosing – the regular consumption of very low doses of psychedelics without the psychoactive effects – has recently gained popularity. The limited research into potential benefits of microdosing has produced mixed results, and it’s not possible to say whether microdosing has benefits.

In general, enthusiasm for psychedelic therapy is outpacing the evidence. Research on psychedelic therapy is certainly promising, but more studies are needed before we know whether psychedelics are safe, appropriate, and effective for clinical use – and for which types of conditions. 

Depending on the substance and the dose, there can be short-term negative effects – distress, fear, anxiety, paranoia, as well as a loss of motor coordination. Taking high doses of psychedelics increases the risk of negative effects, but on their own (that is, in the absence of other substances like alcohol), and in realistic quantities, psychedelics are not known to lead to fatal overdose.

Psychedelics are generally not considered addictive, with the exception of ketamine. Like other psychoactive substances, there is a potential risk of psychological dependence on psychedelics.

In the context of psychedelic therapies, patients having a psychedelic experience can be quite vulnerable, and there have been documented incidents of abuse by therapists conducting psychedelic therapy. This points to the need for regulation and oversight.

A lot of research on psychedelics is currently underway around the globe. At CAMH, there are research projects investigating the safety and efficacy of psilocybin for depression (including major depressive disorder, treatment-resistant depression, and late-life depression), alcohol use disorder, bipolar disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder and chronic pain, as well as ketamine for suicidal ideation. Elsewhere, research is exploring LSD for generalized anxiety disorder, MDMA therapy for PTSD, and other potential therapeutic applications of psychedelics. There is also research being conducted in legalized religious contexts and other ritualistic settings, as well as surveys of the general population that are exploring the nature and extent of psychedelics use and the potential benefits and risks for overall mental wellness.