New survey says Canadians strongly support using psychedelics for patients at end-of-life

24 Jan 2024 — An online survey reveals that 79% of Canadians support the use of psilocybin to treat existential distress in patients suffering from an incurable disease. While the production, sale and possession of this active ingredient from hallucinogenic mushrooms is currently prohibited in Canada, a unique access program allows people to obtain an exemption for medical or scientific reasons. 

“Studies have already shown that psilocybin, combined with psychotherapy, produces rapid, robust and lasting anxiolytic and antidepressant effects in patients who have advanced cancer,” states lead researcher Michel Dorval, professor at the Université Laval’s Faculty of Pharmacy and researcher at the CHU de Québec-Université Laval Research Center.