Psychedelics

  • What is Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy?

    Psychedelic assisted-psychotherapy (PAP) is a form of psychotherapy that involves the use of psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine for the purpose of facilitating therapeutic breakthroughs and insight.

    It is a broad term that encompasses a number of different approaches and protocols using psychedelics, and which has been practiced in the Western medical model since the 1950s. Though psychedelics like LSD showed promise as therapeutic agents in those early years, a period of prohibition starting in the 1960s and through the early 2000s significantly hindered the research and development of these modalities.

    The last decade has seen a significant body of encouraging research supporting the efficacy of PAP for a number of mental health issues, especially depression, anxiety, addiction, and PTSD. Though most psychedelics are still regulated substances, the legal and medical landscape is changing quickly, and more treatment options are starting to become available to the general public.

  • How does the process work? How many sessions do I have to do?

    Our ketamine treatments are flexible, designed to meet your individual needs and goals and best support you on your healing journey. In our treatment options, your ketamine experience can involve a guiding therapist, or you may choose to engage in healing without a therapist. During ketamine sessions, short-term changes in your state of consciousness occur that can help you feel connected with your inner healing capacity and enhance your ability to meaningfully engage in therapy. You may be able to process strong emotions and memories that may otherwise be too painful or difficult to access and help you to experience personal breakthroughs that may resolve some of the root causes of mental health conditions.

  • How is the ketamine administered?

    We presently use rapid dissolving tablets that are dissolved in the mouth for initial ketamine doses and nasal spray for supplemental doses. Your team will work with you to determine and adjust your dose for each session, helping you ease into the experience. Each time ketamine is administered, your response will be closely monitored. We also offer ketamine intramuscular injection and Spravato®.

  • What is the actual experience like?
    Ketamine can be administered via intravenous infusion (IV), ad intramuscular injection (IM), nasal sprays, and rapid dissolving tablets; at Numinus, we currently use nasal sprays and tablets. After taking a rigorous, client-centred approach to determine whether KAT is the appropriate treatment for your situation, your medical team will work with you to find the correct dosage.
    The physical and emotional effects of ketamine will differ from person to person; however, common experiences include:
    • Altered states of consciousness and feeling separated from reality
    • Disruption of negative feelings
    • Relaxation of ordinary concerns and usual mindset
    • A sense of euphoria
    • A dream-like or “floating” sensation
    • An altered sense of time (losing track of time; time slowing down or speeding up)
    • Diminished or altered body sensations; some people may have an “out-of-body” experience, where awareness of the physical body is reduced
    • Tunnel vision, or seeing things through a fog
    • Pain reduction
    • Mild changes in perceptions of sounds and sights
    • It’s also possible to have uncomfortable feelings or suppressed traumas arise. Safety and care are the top priorities of our team members, and your therapists will be there to support you as you navigate any challenging experiences.
    Our rooms for ketamine dosing sessions have been intentionally designed to ensure your comfort and support your journey. You may choose to be in a reclined or semi-reclined position, wear eyeshades, and listen to music to enhance the experience.
  • Am I eligible?
    At Mindspace, ketamine treatment is only available to individuals between the ages of 18 and 65, and to Quebec residents. At present, youth under 18 years of age, pregnant women and nursing mothers are not eligible for ketamine treatment, since the effects of ketamine on pregnancy, nursing children and youth are still relatively unknown. Though research indicates that ketamine treatment may be effective for a number of mental health indications, Mindspace is currently focused on addressing treatment-resistant depression.
    To be eligible for ketamine treatment for depression, you must be evaluated by a medical practitioner and not have any contraindications to this therapy, including any medical or other psychiatric illnesses that suggest this treatment might be unsafe. Conditions that may make you ineligible for ketamine treatment include, but are not limited to: a history of psychosis (e.g. hallucinations), mania, untreated hypertension, heart disease or stroke, and seizure. Similarly, severe liver disease, untreated thyroid disorders or other medical conditions may require management prior to ketamine treatment.
    If you are suffering from treatment-resistant depression our team will work directly with you to determine whether you are a good candidate for treatment by taking a full medical and psychological history.
  • What does it cost? Is it covered by health care or my private insurance?

    Ketamine treatment is an innovation in mental health care, but because it is still new, it is presently an uninsured medical service; however, if you have a private insurance provider, you may be able to claim some session types and medications. We will provide you with a detailed breakdown of the costs for each service. Medical visits are covered by public health care plans.  Please contact us for additional pricing information.

  • What if I decide partway through the treatment that Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy is not for me?

    From day one our team will be focused on ensuring that you are receiving the best possible care, and supporting you through what may be both a challenging and profoundly healing experience. In the event that you choose or need to withdraw from the treatment before its completion, you may stop without incurring any additional charges, as long as you cancel your next session with sufficient notice, which varies depending on the session type, but ranges between 1 and 3 days. This will be discussed with you in more detail by your Personal Health Navigator.

  • I’m interested, what’s the next step?

    If you believe you are eligible for ketamine treatment and would like to proceed with the program, the next step is to book a FREE info call with our Care Coordinators.

  • Are residents outside of Quebec eligible to receive Ketamine Assisted Therapy?

    No, we can only provide KAP for clients who are resident in Quebec.

  • What is Psychedelic Harm-Reduction and Integration (PHRI)?

    Psychedelic harm reduction and integration (PHRI) is a therapeutic framework and form of psychoeducation for addressing various kinds of psychedelic use. It brings together harm reduction practices around substance use more generally, and an emphasis on the importance of “integration” work around psychedelic use more specifically.

    It does not involve the prescription, administration or supervision of psychedelic drugs or experiences; rather, it represents the support that a therapist or coach might provide to an individual who has had or intends to have psychedelic experiences on their own, outside of therapy. For example, an individual who is interested in using psilocybin mushrooms to help them quit smoking may seek the support of a PHRI therapist to help them plan for experiences they undertake on their own, to minimize risks and increase the likelihood of positive therapeutic outcomes, including through integration sessions following these experiences.

    PHRI therapists do not refer clients to underground therapists, and are in no way involved with the sourcing of psychedelic substances, nor do they conduct therapy while individuals are under the influence of psychedelics.