Medical Psychedelics Working Group
The Medical Psychedelics Working Group is a cross-sector collaboration, which includes scientific experts, academics, policy makers and leaders of patient advocacy groups alongside industry partners
Aim
The group’s aim is to break down the barriers of 50 years of medical censorship by creating a rational and enlightened approach to psychedelic research and clinical treatment, ensuring the UK is a world leader in psychedelic medicine. The group will explore innovation within the psychedelic space with a specific focus on how psychedelics can be integrated into primary and secondary healthcare. Evidence-based science, sharing data, and strong partnerships are keys to success for the psychedelic community.
Drug Science believes that the future of psychedelic medicine is extremely promising, and there is potential for widespread application of psychedelic drugs within public health models. The UK is a world leader in the development of clinical psychedelic research, which is now expanding globally.
However, current UK regulations have created serious and considerable barriers to legitimate research associated with Schedule 1 regulations. While current legislation does not preclude scientific research with these drugs, it does make them significantly more difficult, time-consuming and costly to study.
With a greater understanding amongst policy makers, academics, the media and the general public, there are realistic prospects of regulatory approval, leading to the evidenced possibility that medical psychedelics can be used safely, feasibly and with the potential for lasting therapeutic benefits.
Objectives
- Develop research materials on psychedelic drugs
- Work alongside regulators and other organisations to provide evidence for the rescheduling of psychedelic drugs for research and medical purposes
- Work with regulatory bodies to ensure that relevant legislation is enacted to facilitate medical use of psychedelic drugs
- Promote destigmatisation to provide improved understanding of psychedelic drugs
- Provide evidence-based educational resources and training in psychedelic medicine for doctors, pharmacists, and other healthcare professionals
Scientific Committee
Professor of Psychopharmacology
Professor of Neuro-psychopharmacology
Co-founder, Heffter Research Institute
Professor of Psychopharmacology
Chair in Criminology
Honorary Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist
Professor of Psychopharmacology
Head of Centre for Psychedelic Research
Co-Founder, Heffter Research Institute
Honorary Consultant Psychiatrist
Consultant Addiction Psychiatrist
Psychiatric Doctor
Sub Lead Investigator, COMPASS
Psychotherapist
Director of Pharmacy, Humankind
Policy Specialists
Labour MP, Manchester Withington
Conservative MP, Reigate
Visiting Professor of Law, QMUL
Senior Policy Analyst, Transform
Senior Advocacy Coordinator, EFNA
Director of Research, CDPRG
Senior Research and Policy Officer, CDPRG
Communications Officer, University of Manchester
Patient Advocates
CEO, Heroic Hearts Project UK
Integration Coach, Heroic Hearts Project UK
Partners
The Medical Psychedelics Working Group is supported by unrestricted educational grants from the following partners:
