The Canadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy

The Canadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from The Canadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy, Medical and health, Calgary, AB.

CAN-PACT, which stands for the Canadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy, is a national initiative funded by the Canadian Cancer Society, Canadian Institute of Health Research (CIHR), and Brain Canada.

👀 A look back at our October 2025 CAN-Pact Annual Event—bringing together a growing network of researchers, clinicians, ...
04/06/2026

👀 A look back at our October 2025 CAN-Pact Annual Event—bringing together a growing network of researchers, clinicians, and partners committed to advancing supportive cancer care.

👉 Alongside network members, our PIs—Dr. Linda Carlson, Dr. Ron Shore, and Dr. Harriet Richardson—continue to help guide this work forward, shaping a shared vision for the future of psychedelic-assisted cancer therapy in Canada.

From meaningful conversations to shared momentum, this gathering marked an important step forward.

✨ Now, we look ahead. ✨

🍄 Our next virtual Network Meeting is happening this April, and we’re excited to reconnect, continue the conversation, and carve new pathways together.

🔗 Sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on upcoming meetings, opportunities, and network updates. Link in Bio! ☝️

☕ FRIDAY FINDINGS ☕ This week we have Dr. Erika Dyck who has picked out reading for us, she shares:“We often hear about ...
04/03/2026

☕ FRIDAY FINDINGS ☕
This week we have Dr. Erika Dyck who has picked out reading for us, she shares:

“We often hear about a psychedelic renaissance or resurgence that refers to a policy thaw after decades of prohibitions on psychedelic research. But how much do we really know about the political decisions that led to the international policies in the 1970s that seemingly plunged us into the dark ages of psychedelic research? Mäns Bergkvist peals back the layers of legal history to explain just that. The authors offer a close reading of debates leading up to the 1971 United Nations Convention on Psychotropic Substances, revealing how member countries drew from medical and criminal reports to guide their positions on the potential abuse of a variety of substances, from cannabis and psychedelics to o***m. The idea of clinical trials with psychedelics raised ethical issues, with the Soviet Union opposing these human experiments while Mexico championed the need for additional human trial research. Meanwhile, the United States and Australia registered concern that prohibiting access to psychoactive plants may disrupt religious practices. Fundamentally, the authors argue that the UN Convention framed psychedelics as a health issue that posed an epidemic threat due to their social appeal and potential for abuse, which constituted a “social menace”. The authors conclude that the economic incentives for daily-dose sedatives as compared to the psychedelic-assisted therapy model cannot be underestimated as part of the context behind the decisions and the financial lobbying that influenced decision makers in the 1970s.

This in-depth study of psychedelic policy making is a useful reminder of how the prohibitions came into place internationally, and draws our attention to some of the key features of those debates…”

Bergkvist, M., Barrett, D., Edman, J., & Johnson, B. (2026). Fear and Loathing in the United Nations: The Establishment of International Control of Psychedelics Through the 1971 Convention on Psychotropic Substances. Contemporary Drug Problems. Advance online publication.
https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/epdf/10.1177/00914509261429506

📣 Cancer care is more than physical treatment. Psychosocial oncology is a specialized area of cancer care that focuses o...
03/30/2026

📣 Cancer care is more than physical treatment.

Psychosocial oncology is a specialized area of cancer care that focuses on the emotional, psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of living with cancer.

A cancer diagnosis doesn’t just affect the body — it can impact how a person thinks, feels, copes, relates to others, and makes decisions. It can also affect families and caregivers in profound ways.

Psychosocial oncology exists to support these experiences across the cancer journey — from diagnosis, through treatment, and into survivorship or advanced care.

This can include support for:
👉 Emotional distress, anxiety, or depression
👉 Coping with uncertainty or fear of recurrence
👉 Communication and decision-making
👉 Relationships, caregiving, and social support
👉 Quality of life and overall well-being

This field recognizes that whole-person care matters — and that supporting mental, emotional, and social well-being is an essential part of cancer care, not an optional add-on.

Psychosocial oncology is also a key foundation for many supportive care approaches, including emerging areas like psychedelic-assisted therapy, which aim to address distress, meaning, and quality of life in people affected by cancer.

📖 Source:
American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS)
https://apos-society.org/professionals/what-is-psychosocial-oncology/

🍄 Interest in psychedelic medicines is growing as researchers explore how these compounds may support mental health and ...
03/25/2026

🍄 Interest in psychedelic medicines is growing as researchers explore how these compounds may support mental health and well-being.

This quick guide highlights some of the potential ways psychedelic medicines may help, based on findings from emerging clinical research. Scientists are continuing to study how these medicines affect the brain, emotions, and patterns of thinking.

👉 While early results are promising, this field is still developing.
👉 Research is ongoing, and more studies are needed to confirm safety and effectiveness.

Understanding both the potential benefits and the limitations of current evidence is an important part of advancing this work responsibly.

✨ Save this guide for later or share with someone interested in the evolving science of psychedelic medicine.

Source:
Siegel, J.S., Liston, C., Nicol, G.E., Carhart-Harris, R.L., & Bogenschutz, M.P. (2026). The science of psychedelic medicine. Nature Medicine, 32, 449–462. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-04194-5

💬 What is informed consent in research? 👉 Before someone participates in a research study, they must go through a proces...
03/24/2026

💬 What is informed consent in research?

👉 Before someone participates in a research study, they must go through a process called “informed consent”.

Informed consent means that potential participants are given clear information about the study so they can decide whether participation is right for them. Researchers explain the purpose of the study, what participation involves, possible risks and benefits, the time commitment, and how personal information will be protected.

Just as importantly, informed consent also protects participant rights. Participation in research is voluntary, and individuals always have the right to ask questions, take time to decide, decline participation, or withdraw from a study at any point without affecting their medical care.

In clinical trials — including psychedelic research — the consent process may be especially detailed. Because these studies involve regulated substances and carefully controlled protocols, researchers must follow strict ethical and safety guidelines designed to protect participants and ensure transparency.

Informed consent is also an ongoing process, not just a form. Participants can continue to ask questions and reconsider their participation throughout the study.

👉 If you’d like to learn more about how informed consent works in Canadian research, you can read the Tri-Council Policy Statement (TCPS 2), which outlines the national ethical standards for research involving human participants.

📖 Source:
Government of Canada. Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethical Conduct for Research Involving Humans (TCPS 2), Chapter 3 – The Consent Process.
https://ethics.gc.ca/eng/tcps2-eptc2_2022_chapter3-chapitre3.html

🍄 Finishing cancer treatment doesn’t always mean the emotional journey is over. 🍄 Many people living with or recovering ...
03/23/2026

🍄 Finishing cancer treatment doesn’t always mean the emotional journey is over. 🍄

Many people living with or recovering from cancer describe an unexpected transition after treatment ends. While friends, family, and even healthcare systems may celebrate that the treatment phase is complete, patients often continue to process fear, uncertainty, and existential questions about life, meaning, and mortality.

Qualitative research exploring patient perspectives highlights that emotional and existential distress can persist long after treatment concludes. Patients described needing space to talk openly about fear of death, fear of cancer recurrence or progression, opportunities to reconnect with meaning and purpose, and continued support from others who understand what they’ve experienced.

✨ Supportive cancer care should extend beyond physical treatment. ✨
👉 Because surviving cancer doesn’t mean the emotional impact disappears.

📖 Source:
Schuman, H. D. M., Barkova, S., Mina, R., Deleemans, J. M., Nguyen, T., & Carlson, L. E. (2025). “Facing Death… Now, That’s a Serious Thing to Confront”: A Qualitative Analysis of Patient Perspectives on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy for Cancer-Related Psychosocial Symptoms. Integrative Cancer Therapies, 24. https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354251370982

03/18/2026

⏪ Integration Session Rewind ⏪

M**A & Couples Therapy: Relational Healing with Dr. Anne Wagner

What happens when M**A — a drug often associated with rave culture — meets couples therapy?

In this episode of The Integration Session, clinical psychologist and researcher Dr. Anne Wagner discusses the first clinical trial of M**A-assisted couples therapy. The conversation explores what M**A actually is, how it affects the brain and body, and its emerging potential to support relational healing in the context of trauma.

As founder of Remedy and lead investigator of multiple M**A-assisted therapy trials, Dr. Wagner brings deep expertise at the intersection of psychotherapy and non-ordinary states of consciousness — offering insight into how psychedelic-assisted approaches may reshape trauma treatment and couples therapy.

🎧 Listen now on YouTube, Spotify, and Apple Podcasts. Link in Bio! 🎧

Disclaimer: This podcast is for entertainment purposes only and does not constitute medical or legal advice.

📣 Not all research studies are the same — and understanding the difference matters. 👉 A clinical trial is a carefully de...
03/18/2026

📣 Not all research studies are the same — and understanding the difference matters.

👉 A clinical trial is a carefully designed research study that tests an intervention in people. Participants are assigned to specific conditions, follow structured protocols, and are closely monitored so researchers can evaluate safety and efficacy.

👉 An observational study, by contrast, does not assign treatment — it simply observes what happens naturally.

🤔 Why does this matter? 🤔

In psychedelic research, for example, clinical trials must follow strict regulatory, ethical, and safety guidelines. Because these substances are not broadly legal outside research settings, studies require:

👉 Careful screening
👉 Medical and psychological assessments
👉 Structured preparation and integration sessions
👉 Close monitoring
👉 Clear documentation and follow-up

This can feel intensive — and it is meant to be.

Clinical trials are designed this way to protect participants, ensure safety, and generate reliable evidence. Transparency about what participation involves is essential.

Educational purposes only. If you are considering research participation, speak with a study coordinator or your care team to determine what is appropriate for you.

Sources:
Canadian Institutes of Health Research. What are clinical trials? https://cihr-irsc.gc.ca/e/52988.html
National Institute on Aging. What are clinical trials and studies? https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/clinical-trials-and-studies/what-are-clinical-trials-and-studies #:~:text=Observational%20studies%20do%20not%20test,or%20behavioral%20intervention%20in%20people

03/16/2026

📣 Building new supportive care options for cancer isn’t about rushing innovation — it’s about doing it responsibly.

This multi-phase roadmap outlines how the CAnadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy (CAN-PACT) is developing the research, training, clinical trial infrastructure, and policy engagement needed to evaluate psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) in advanced cancer care.

👉 From identifying unmet needs like demoralization and existential distress, to national collaboration, clinician training, pilot testing, and a multi-site clinical trial — every step is designed to ensure safety, scientific rigor, and patient partnership.

Access should follow evidence.

📖 Full publication:
Carlson, L. E., Richardson, H., Shore, R., Albertyn, C. P., Balneaves, L. G., Bates, A., Burnell, M., Chochinov, H. M., Clements, D., Deleemans, J., Horlock, H., Mathews, J., McKenzie, M., Savard, C., Soares, C. N., Tu, W., & Williams, M. (2025). The CAnadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy (CAN-PACT): A Multi-Phase Program Overview. Current Oncology, 33, 7.
https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol33010007

🍄 Psychedelic medicines are receiving growing attention in mental health research — but what’s actually being studied? 🤔...
03/11/2026

🍄 Psychedelic medicines are receiving growing attention in mental health research — but what’s actually being studied? 🤔

From psilocybin and L*D to M**A and ketamine, clinical trials are exploring how these compounds may support treatment for depression, PTSD, addiction, anxiety, and more.

While research is expanding rapidly, each substance has distinct mechanisms, risks, and levels of evidence. This guide offers a high-level overview of what current clinical science is investigating.

✨ Save this as a quick reference — and share with someone interested in the evolving science of psychedelic medicine. ✨

Source:
Siegel, J.S., Liston, C., Nicol, G.E., Carhart-Harris, R.L., & Bogenschutz, M.P. (2026). The science of psychedelic medicine. Nature Medicine, 32, 449–462. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-025-04194-5

📣 Demoralization and depression are related — but they are not the same. 👉 Demoralization is often a response to overwhe...
03/10/2026

📣 Demoralization and depression are related — but they are not the same.

👉 Demoralization is often a response to overwhelming stress, serious illness, or loss of control. It is characterized by a loss of meaning, hopelessness, and difficulty coping. A person may feel stuck, helpless, or uncertain about how to move forward.

👉 Depression, on the other hand, is a diagnosable mental health condition. It involves persistent low mood and/or loss of interest or pleasure, along with cognitive and physical symptoms lasting at least two weeks.

Research shows that:

👉 Moderate demoralization often occurs without major depression
👉 At higher levels, demoralization and depression are more likely to overlap

This distinction matters. Someone experiencing demoralization may benefit from meaning-centered, supportive, or existential interventions, while major depression may require clinical mental health treatment.

This post is for educational purposes only — not self-diagnosis.
If you are experiencing distress, please speak with your physician or a qualified mental health professional.

Source:
Robinson S, Kissane DW, Brooker J, et al. Refinement and Revalidation of the Demoralization Scale (DS-II)—External Validity. Cancer. 2016;122:2260-2267. https://doi.org/10.1002%2Fcncr.30012

🌿“Integrating Existential Care into Cancer Support” Cancer distress can include both emotional and existential dimension...
02/17/2026

🌿“Integrating Existential Care into Cancer Support”

Cancer distress can include both emotional and existential dimensions — the fears, questions, and meaning challenges that come with facing serious illness. While traditional supportive care often focuses on emotional well-being and managing treatment side-effects, evidence suggests that integrative approaches may help extend care into deeper aspects of the human experience.

This infographic illustrates how supportive care can evolve to be more holistic by incorporating approaches like psilocybin-assisted therapy, which shows promise in adding value to conventional care by better addressing meaning, acceptance of illness and mortality, spiritual well-being, dignity, and existential peace — in addition to symptom relief and functional support.

Together, these approaches aim to enhance care to support the whole person — emotional and existential — rather than replacing existing care.

📘 Citation:
Schuman, D. M., Barkova, S., Mina, R., Deleemans, J. M., Nguyen, T., & Carlson, L. E. (2025).
“Facing death… now that’s a serious thing to confront”: A qualitative analysis of patient perspectives on psychedelic-assisted therapy for cancer-related psychosocial symptoms. Integrative Cancer Therapies.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/15347354251370982

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✨ Share with someone who may find this integrative perspective helpful

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Calgary, AB

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Monday 9:30am - 4pm
Tuesday 9:30am - 4pm
Wednesday 9:30am - 4pm
Thursday 9:30am - 4pm

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https://linktr.ee/CAN.PACT

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