Grant: Project Grant

The reemergence of psychedelic-based therapeutics (PBT) as promising treatment for various mental health disorders has fueled a commercialized "psychedelic industry" seeking to capitalize on growing interest. Some Indigenous cultures have historically used psychedelics within cultural and spiritual practices, offering opportunity to integrate Indigenous wisdom into Western healthcare and grow Indigenous-led health services. However, concerns arise regarding exploitation of Indigenous groups, as pharmaceutical companies seek to 'partner' with insufficient ethical engagement. The work proposed here seeks to grow Indigenous capacity within this complex terrain, to mobilize Indigenous guidance, and enhance Indigenous knowledge in the broader field of PBT. Using consensus-driven methods, the project aims to increase Indigenous participation around PBT by synthesizing and sharing knowledge from academic literature and community perspectives, and inform culturally-based PBT model(s) with 1-2 First Nations. Our transdisciplinary research team combines expertise in psychiatry and novel pharmacological interventions with innovative models of care and Indigenous research methodologies. We aim to develop a community-driven, culturally attuned framework to clarify interests and directions forward for PBT science, to foster clinical and research practices aligned with Indigenous worldviews.