Special Access Program (SAP)
Psychedelics are powerful tools for treating a range of mental health conditions, including trauma, depression, and addictions. A growing body of research demonstrates that psilocybin and MDMA when combined with psychotherapy produce outcomes that can be superior to existing psychological and psychopharmacological treatments. These healing medicines are now available to Albertans through Health Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP).
At Edgar Psychological, we understand that traditional treatments may not always meet the unique needs of every patient. Our commitment is to offer hope and potential solutions for those facing challenging health conditions by supporting individualized Special Access Program applications to initiate the process of psilocybin or MDMA-assisted therapy at Edgar Psychological.
What is the Special Access Program (SAP)?
Canada’s Special Access Program (SAP) allows healthcare professionals to request access to substances that are not currently authorized for sale or that cannot be otherwise distributed in Canada. Psilocybin and MDMA are two substances that cannot be sold in Canada but can be requested through the Special Access Program for qualifying clients to use alongside psychotherapy under supervision of our multidisciplinary healthcare team.
Who is eligible?
Currently, Health Canada will grant access to psilocybin for treatment-resistant depression, chronic pain, or end-of-life care, and MDMA for PTSD or a trauma-related disorder on a case-by-case basis. This is supported by Alberta’s regulations for psychedelic-assisted therapy adopted on January 16, 2023.
Special Access Program applications can be made for individuals age 18 and up that have one of these conditions where:
Conventional treatments have failed or are not suitable
There are no other treatment options that could be used as a reasonable alternative, or
Conventional treatment options are not available in Canada
Our multidisciplinary team will provide you with medical and psychiatric screenings to ensure safety and eligibility. Factors that may be considered during the application process include:
Treatment (psychological and medical) history and rationale
Potential contraindications
The risk of significant or persistent challenges without treatment
Prognosis of the condition
How are these psychedelics used in mental health treatment?
Combining psychedelics with therapy can maximize healing potential. A skilled psychologist trained in Psychedelic-assisted Therapy (PaT) can help you get to the root of your challenges, work through the emotions and thoughts that arise during your experience, and promote lasting, positive changes. Psychedelic therapy is more than just symptom management; it works to address and reframe the factors contributing to mental health conditions.
Psilocybin
Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain fungi, colloquially known as “magic mushrooms.” Psilocybin is an entheogen, which means it binds with serotonin receptors and increases neuroplasticity. Boasting a safety profile deemed better than aspirin, psilocybin is paving the way for its exploration in therapeutic contexts and has been used for ceremonial and therapeutic purposes in Indigenous communities for thousands of years.
Research suggests that psilocybin can help ease the emotional, spiritual, and existential pain that may arise from end-of-life care or treatment-resistant depression with a success rate of 79-92% in reducing related symptoms. Beyond symptom reduction, psilocybin has been shown to increase overall wellbeing by promoting a more positive outlook, connection to others, and a more profound sense of meaning in life.
MDMA
Different from psilocybin, MDMA is an empathogen, which means it increases neurotransmitters that increase positive emotions, such as serotonin and dopamine, and quiets the amygdala, reducing a sense of fear. These shifts in perception are believed to enhance the therapeutic process by increasing feelings of empathy and emotional openness, facilitating emotional healing and personal growth. Research has shown promising uses for MDMA in treating PTSD with 71.2% of participants no longer meeting the criteria for PTSD at the conclusion of significant studies.
Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy (PaT)
Psilocybin & MDMA have exciting potential for their uses in mental health treatment. However, without proper guidance, preparation, and integration support, these powerful medicines can potentially have adverse effects. Our multidisciplinary team will support you to build upon your inner healing intelligence, address challenges that may come up along the way, and help you integrate learnings and insights to support lasting change.
Whether you qualify for psilocybin or MDMA-assisted therapy, our team is here to support you. From assessing safety and eligibility, writing your application to Health Canada, to supporting you through preparation, dosing, and integration sessions, we are committed to providing comprehensive and evidence-informed care, and supporting your mental health journey through a safe, evidence-based, and compassionate approach.
Next Steps
For further inquiries or to initiate the application process, contact us.
Please note, if you are interested in Ketamine-assisted Psychotherapy, a SAP application is not required. Please refer to our webpage or contact us for further information.
Our Psychedelic Integration Team
Disclaimer: Edgar Psychological does not advocate for or facilitate access to illegal substances. The information provided is educational, not exhaustive, and psychedelic treatments are an emerging area. As such, we are constantly updating our program offerings to reflect updated research development in the field, as well as to ensure quality assurance. Only ketamine has legal approval for mental health use outside of SAP approval.
Edgar Psychological acknowledges that the use of psychedelics have been used for therapeutic and ceremonial purposes by Indigenous communities spanning thousands of years who continue to be stewards and knowledge keepers of this sacred work. We aim to respect these lineages by respectfully integrating principles of neuro-decoloniality, diverse cultural wisdom, and cultural humility into a modern therapeutic framework appropriate for our community, acknowledging this is an ongoing process.
References
Conner, K. (2023, March 9). Everything Old Becomes New Again: Five Things to Know About Psychedelics in Palliative Care. EBSCO. https://www.ebsco.com/blogs/health-notes/2334550/everything-old-becomes-new-again-five-things-know-about-psychedelics-palliative
Government of Canada. (2022, June 20). Health Canada's special access programs: Request a drug. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/special-access/drugs.html
Health Canada. (2020, September 30). Special Access Program for Drugs: Guidance Document for Industry and Practitioners. https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/special-access/drugs/guidance.html
Smith K.W., Sicignano, D.J., Hernandez, A.V., White, CM. (2021). MDMA-Assisted Psychotherapy for Treatment of Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review With Meta-Analysis. The Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 62(4), 463-471. doi: 10.1002/jcph.1995
Yu, C. L., Yang, F. C., Yang, S. N., Tseng, P. T., Stubbs, B., Yeh, T. C., Hsu, C. W., Li, D. J., & Liang, C. S. (2021). Psilocybin for end-of-life anxiety symptoms: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Psychiatry investigation, 18(10), 958–967. https://doi.org/10.30773/pi.2021.0209