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.

M**A and L*D are often grouped together in public conversations about psychedelics—but the experiences they produce are ...
05/28/2026

M**A and L*D are often grouped together in public conversations about psychedelics—but the experiences they produce are commonly described in very different ways.

Research suggests that M**A is more often associated with emotional openness, empathy, connection, sociability, and positive mood, while L*D is more commonly linked to altered perception, visual and sensory changes, introspection, and shifts in consciousness.

Understanding these differences is important when discussing research, therapeutic models, and how different substances may affect people in different ways. While they are sometimes discussed under the same umbrella, they are not interchangeable experiences.

Experiences can vary based on the person, dose, environment, and level of support provided. Research in this area is still evolving.

What comparison should we break down next?

📖 Source:
Holze F, Vizeli P, Ley L, Müller F, Dolder P, Stocker M, Duthaler U, Varghese N, Eckert A, Borgwardt S, Liechti ME. Distinct acute effects of L*D, M**A, and D-amphetamine in healthy subjects. Neuropsychopharmacology. 2020;45(3):462–471. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41386-019-0569-3

05/25/2026

🍄 What actually happens during a psilocybin-assisted therapy session? 🍄

While every study and clinical protocol may differ slightly, many psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions follow a structured process that includes preparation, supportive monitoring throughout the experience, and integration afterward.

Here is a general example of what a dosing day may involve in research-informed psychedelic-assisted therapy settings:

1️⃣ Arrival & Safety Check
Participants arrive, get settled, and complete safety monitoring such as vital checks before the session begins.

2️⃣ Medication Session Begins
The medication is taken orally, with supportive facilitators present throughout the day.

3️⃣ Music & Eye Mask for a Reflective Experience
Headphones and eye masks are commonly used to help minimize distractions and support reflection during the session.

4️⃣ Onset of Effects (30–90 min)
Changes in awareness and perception gradually begin.

5️⃣ Peak Experience (90 min–4 hrs)
Participants may experience emotional, psychological, or reflective effects during the most intense part of the session.

6️⃣ Gradual Return
Effects begin to lessen and ordinary awareness gradually returns.

7️⃣ Debrief & Safe Ride Home
Participants may have a light snack, a short discussion with facilitators, and are discharged to a support person.
(Total dosing session: ~7–8 hours)

8️⃣ Integration Session (Next Day)
Follow-up discussions with facilitators help participants process and reflect on the experience afterward.

Psychedelic-assisted therapy is designed to involve more than the medication alone. Preparation, therapeutic support, and integration are considered important parts of the overall process.

⚠️ Disclaimer: Psilocybin and other psychedelic substances should not be used without appropriate medical oversight, professional guidance, and supportive supervision. Psychedelic-assisted therapy sessions conducted in research and clinical settings involve structured protocols, trained facilitators, safety screening, and ongoing support.

🍄 Psilocybin therapy isn’t just “taking a dose.” 🍄 It’s a structured, supported experience shaped by preparation, the en...
05/22/2026

🍄 Psilocybin therapy isn’t just “taking a dose.” 🍄

It’s a structured, supported experience shaped by preparation, the environment, and what happens afterward. From guided support throughout the session to integration the next day, each element plays a role in how the experience unfolds and is understood.

This pocket guide highlights some of the key expectations going in—so you have a clearer sense of what’s involved.

📩 Want more research, tools, and updates on psychedelic-assisted therapy in cancer care?
👉 Sign-up for the CAN-PACT newsletter (link in bio)

✨ Stay tuned for an upcoming infographic breaking down the full dosing session and step-by-step process. ✨

🍄 Psilocybin and ketamine are often discussed in the same conversation—but they typically do not produce the same experi...
05/14/2026

🍄 Psilocybin and ketamine are often discussed in the same conversation—but they typically do not produce the same experience. While both are being studied in mental health care, the subjective effects people report can differ in important ways.

Psilocybin experiences are often described with words like connection, insight, emotion, reflection, and meaning. Ketamine experiences are more often described as dissociation, detachment, floating, or feeling distanced from usual patterns of thinking.

Why does this matter? Research suggests the subjective experience itself may be part of the therapeutic process—and that relationships in experiences may differ between substances. Understanding these differences can help support more informed conversations about research, care models, and future directions in the field.

Experiences vary by person, dose, setting, and support. More research is still needed.

👉 What comparison should we break down next?

📖 Source
Dahan JDC, Dadiomov D, Bostoen T, Dahan A. Meta-correlation of the effect of ketamine and psilocybin induced subjective effects on therapeutic outcome. NPJ Mental Health Research. 2024;3:45. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-024-00091-w

Psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”) is often talked about in headlines, but there’s still a lot of confusion about what ...
05/11/2026

Psilocybin (from “magic mushrooms”) is often talked about in headlines, but there’s still a lot of confusion about what it is—and how it’s being studied. This quick guide breaks down some of the basics: what type of substance it is, where current research is focused, how treatment models may be structured, how long sessions may last, and why care settings matter.

Current research has explored psilocybin in areas such as depression, anxiety, emotional distress, and substance use disorders. Many study models include preparation, professional support during the session(s), and integration afterward. That structure is important, especially when people have questions or hesitation about safety, support, and what these settings actually look like.

As with any emerging area of research, findings are still evolving. Experiences and outcomes can vary based on the person, dose, environment, and level of support provided.

Don’t forget to save, share, & follow!

Source:
Dahan JDC, Dadiomov D, Bostoen T, Dahan A. Meta-correlation of the effect of ketamine and psilocybin induced subjective effects on therapeutic outcome. NPJ Mental Health Research. 2024;3:45. https://doi.org/10.1038/s44184-024-00091-w

Demoralization can feel like hopelessness (Why bother? Nothing’s going to get better), helplessness (I’m too exhausted t...
05/07/2026

Demoralization can feel like hopelessness (Why bother? Nothing’s going to get better), helplessness (I’m too exhausted to try), loss of meaning (What’s the point?), or feeling like you can’t cope anymore (it’s overwhelming). It can happen during serious illness, especially when life feels uncertain or support is delayed, but it doesn’t have to stay this way.

While professional care is important, it’s not always readily available. In the meantime, small steps may help you get through the day:

✨ Keep a daily routine – get out of bed, prepare a simple meal, have a cup of tea, get outside
✨ Reconnect with what matters – check in with your core values
✨ Talk to someone you trust – call a friend or family member, spend time with a pet
✨ Practice self-compassion – remember you’re doing your best
✨ Reach out for professional support – many cancer centres have free psychosocial support

These strategies are not a replacement for mental health care, but they may offer support while you wait for your appointment.

If your distress feels overwhelming, worsens, or you feel unsafe, contact your care team, local crisis supports, or emergency services right away.

📖 Source:
Academy of Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry. How-To Guide: Demoralization. 2024.https://clpsychiatry.org/wp-content/uploads/ACLP-How-to-guide-Demoralization-2024.pdf

Big ideas need strong leadership. Today we’re recognizing the Principal Investigators helping guide CAN-PACT and shape t...
04/29/2026

Big ideas need strong leadership. Today we’re recognizing the Principal Investigators helping guide CAN-PACT and shape the future of supportive cancer care in Canada.

✨ Dr. Linda E. Carlson
A leader in psychosocial and integrative oncology, Dr. Carlson has helped advance research and education in whole-person cancer care. Her work has expanded conversations around mindfulness, supportive care, and the importance of addressing emotional wellbeing alongside physical treatment.

✨ Dr. Ronald Shore
Dr. Shore brings a vital lens to this work through culture, history, ethics, and interdisciplinary scholarship. His contributions help ensure conversations around psychedelics in healthcare are thoughtful, inclusive, and grounded in broader social context.

✨ Dr. Harriet Richardson
With deep expertise in oncology and clinical research, Dr. Richardson helps bridge innovation with real-world cancer care. Her leadership supports the rigorous, patient-centered research needed to move new approaches forward responsibly.

Together, their leadership is helping build the foundations for research, training, and future care pathways in psychedelic-assisted cancer therapy across Canada.

☝️ Follow along as the network continues to grow.
💬 Sign up for our Newsletter, Link in Bio! ☝️

👉 Not all treatments for depression look the same. SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are commonly prescrib...
04/21/2026

👉 Not all treatments for depression look the same.

SSRIs (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) are commonly prescribed treatments for depression. They are taken daily and work gradually by affecting serotonin levels in the brain, with effects typically building over time.

Psilocybin-assisted therapy, on the other hand, is being studied in clinical trials as a different novel approach. Rather than ongoing medication, it involves a small number of sessions administering a high dose of psilocybin, supported by trained professionals, with psychological support provided before, during, and after the experience.

Research comparing psilocybin with escitalopram (a common SSRI) suggests that both approaches may reduce symptoms of depression. In one clinical trial, there was no significant difference in the primary depression outcome at 6 weeks, though some differences were observed in measures of well-being and functioning.

These approaches differ in how quickly they act, how they are experienced, side effects, and the level of support involved in treatment.

Psilocybin is not currently an approved treatment for depression in Canada and is only available in regulated research settings.

As research continues, the goal is to better understand how different approaches may support people living with depression — and which may be most appropriate for different individuals.

📚️ Sources:
Carhart-Harris RL, Bolstridge M, Rucker J, et al. Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression. New England Journal of Medicine. 2021;384:1402–1411.
DOI: 10.1056/NEJMoa2032994
https://www.nejm.org/doi/full/10.1056/NEJMoa2032994

Goodwin GM, Aaronson ST, Alvarez O, et al. Single-dose psilocybin for a treatment-resistant episode of major depression: 6-month follow-up. EClinicalMedicine. 2024.
DOI: 10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102401
https://www.thelancet.com/journals/eclinm/article/PIIS2589-5370(24)00378-X/fulltext

Edinoff AN, et al. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors. StatPearls Publishing. 2021.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK554406/

👀 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

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Calgary, AB

Opening Hours

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

Website

https://linktr.ee/CAN.PACT

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