The Emerging World of Psychedelics and Plant Medicine 

Current research with psychedelics is yielding promising results in the treatment of trauma, end of life anxiety, depression and addiction. All indications are that many psychedelics (as they are known today) will be legally available for use, balanced for both risk and benefit. 

However, serious negative effects are documented from illegal and recreational use of psychedelics. This is especially true for people with pre-existing mental health challenges or at-risk members of our society. We are advocates of the healing potential that psychedelics are being shown to have in legal therapeutic and ceremonial settings.  To learn more regarding the research and advances towards the legalization of psychedelics in Canada, we recommend following MAPS Canada.

https://mapscanada.org/

To find a clinical trial to participate in,

https://www.clinicaltrials.gov/

Our primary focus is about harm reduction and post-consumption management under the ethic of harm reduction. We want to ensure safety.

Do we prescribe or administer psychedelics?

No. We do not refer our clients to any illegal sources to access. 

Regarding Ketamine, it is generally prohibited under Schedule I of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. However, it is permitted for and common in medical use, and is the only psychedelic substance (other than cannabis) currently permitted for therapeutic use in Canada, with clinics operating throughout Canadian cities.

Regarding other psychedelics, two types of exemption currently exist: the first is applicable under section 56 (1) from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, S.C. 1996, c. 19 (CDSA) and the second one is called the Special Access Program (SAP), applicable through section C.08.010 (1) from the Food and Drug Regulations, C.R.C., c. 870 (FDR).

If this is an area that you wish to explore, please reach out so we can assist and refer you to leaders in these exemption areas. 

Can THERAPY help with non-ordinary states and altered states of consciousness?

To be clear, non ordinary states/altered states of consciousness can also be experienced without substances. There are degrees. For instance, holotropic breathwork, shamanic and Indigeneous healing ceremonies, intentional and guided dreaming states,  hypnotherapy, sound and light therapies, have all been know to do this. 

So yes, therapy can and does help with all of these states. As stated, we take a harm reduction approach to promote education and safety in all non-ordinary states. We offer a safe, confidential space to process, explore, and share challenges and insights that may have happened in non-ordinary states and the potential for the personal transformation that they offer. This includes all the examples listed above, to name only a few non-ordinary states that you may want to explore in a session. 

Emerging Changes 

Wallace Murray & Associates are focusing on educational and training opportunities in psychedelic and plant medicine support and integration along with our continued learning into many other non-ordinary states. With the emergence of psychedelics and plant medicine as being a part of clinical healing modalities, we feel that increased focus on psychedelic harm reduction and psychedelic crisis response is the best way we can be of service to this emerging field at this time. 

As legislation in Canada is evolving and different jurisdictions allow for psychedelics, we are doing our best to stay current. At present, I have completed a certificate in Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy Training Program for Mental Health Professionals through ATMA. I am also enrolled in the psychedelic studies microprograms at the University of Ottawa with plans to complete my MA. 

Our future aim is to continue learning within clinical trials, and to provide complex individual treatment plans in our Canadian partner multidisciplinary clinics as well as participate in and offer retreats in legal jurisdictions.