February 2023
Psychedelics are substances that can cause a range of psychological effects. Some cultures have a long tradition of using psychedelics for spiritual, religious, and healing purposes. They have also been used recreationally. Recently there has been a lot of interest in the potential use of psychedelics as medicine. Research involving psychedelic-assisted therapy has shown promising results for some specific mental health and substance use-related conditions. At the same time, private businesses have been investing billions of dollars in psychedelics, and public conversations about psychedelics often contain unfounded claims and speculation about their potential therapeutic value. It can be difficult to know what to believe. That’s why CAMH has created this FAQ.