UK health offers course for professionals to learn from the forefront of psychedelic research hub

Starting on May 27 in London, this practitioner program is designed for healthcare professionals and students in professional training who are interested in delving into the psychedelic-assisted therapy area. The course aims to equip participants with the necessary knowledge to safely, ethically, and effectively administer psychedelic treatments within a regulated healthcare environment.

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will have the opportunity to advance to the certificate programme, a practical training course designed to enhance their skills and understanding for delivering psychedelic-assisted therapy in clinical trials or licensed medical practice.

The foundations programme offers a good opportunity for professionals to learn from the forefront of psychedelic research in the UK, with Clerkenwell Health leading nearly half of the ongoing phase 2 clinical trials in the global psychedelic market.

Dr Iain Jordan, clinical director at Clerkenwell Health said: “A growing evidence base in research, as well as changes in the law in Australia and possibly in the US soon too, has led to a growing recognition of the role psychedelics could play in improving care for people with mental health problems.”

“This training programme is a science- and experience-led, evidence-based curriculum for healthcare professionals to learn more about the theoretical foundation for psychedelic practice, but also the potential risks and harms, as well as the limitations of the current research literature.”

Participants will have the opportunity to learn from a host of world-leading psychedelic experts, including Sara Tai, David Luke, and Jules Evans, among others.

The foundations programme spans 30 hours of self-directed online learning over two months, with a course fee of £500. Participants will explore topics such as a transdiagnostic understanding of mental disorders, evidence and mechanisms of psychotherapy, phenomenology and proposed mechanisms of psychedelic treatments, limitations of psychedelic research, Clerkenwell Health’s approach, perspectives from patients and groups, as well as risks, harms, and ethical and legal issues around psychedelic treatments.

The resurgence of psychedelic medicine in today's pharmaceutical landscape is marked by a growing interest in the therapeutic potential of psychedelic substances for mental health disorders.

Over the past decade, there has been a notable expansion in research exploring the therapeutic effects of psychedelics such as psilocybin, LSD, MDMA (commonly known as ecstasy), and ketamine. Clinical studies have shown promising results in the treatment of conditions like depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), addiction, and anxiety.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted breakthrough therapy designations to some psychedelic-assisted therapies, expediting their development and review process. For example, MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD and psilocybin-assisted therapy for treatment-resistant depression are currently in late-stage clinical trials. A variant of LSD has recently received breakthrough therapy designation from the FDA for the treatment of generalized anxiety disorder. This classification comes after a meticulously crafted drug trial, wherein approximately half of the patients administered the drug experienced notable alleviation of their symptoms.

The FDA's breakthrough therapy designation expedites the development and assessment of medications hoping to address severe conditions where preliminary data suggests their potential superiority over existing treatments. This accelerated pathway could potentially pave the way for FDA endorsement of LSD in managing generalized anxiety disorder within the coming years. Such approval would inherently authorize the clinical utilization of LSD.

There's been a surge in investor interest in psychedelic medicine startups and companies. Venture capital firms, as well as individual investors, are recognizing the potential of these therapies, and are providing funding for research and development.

The resurgence of psychedelic medicine in today's pharmaceutical landscape represents a significant shift in mental healthcare, with the potential to offer new and effective treatment options for individuals suffering from various mental health conditions.