Psychedelic therapy re-emerging as promising treatment for anxiety ...

forecast Journal of the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV / AIDS

SEP 2015

St. Paul’s Hospital, Vancouver, B.C.

Dr. Evan Wood, Co-Director of UHRI at the BC-CfE

Psychedelic therapy re-emerging as promising treatment for anxiety, PTSD and addiction New studies are investigating the effectiveness of LSD, psilocybin and MDMA in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with positive results

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scientific review of the existing research into the therapeutic applications of psychedelics was recently published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal (CMAJ). The analysis Psychedelic medicine: a re-emerging therapeutic paradigm was co-authored by our very own Dr. Evan Wood, Professor of Medicine and Canada Research Chair, University of British Columbia, and co-director of the Urban Health Research Initiative at the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS. Renewed medical interest in the use of psychedelic drugs to treat anxiety, posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and addiction has led to small research studies that show some success with the controlled use of these drugs, according to the analysis. Psychedelic drugs are substances that have a strong effect on one’s conscious experience, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin (found in “magic mushrooms”), dimethyltryptamine (DMT), mescaline and methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA).

“The re-emerging paradigm of psychedelic medicine may open clinical doors and therapeutic doors long closed,” writes Dr. Wood and co-authors Drs. Kenneth W. Tupper, Richard Yensen, and Matthew W. Johnson.

One small randomized controlled trial indicates that LSD-assisted psychotherapy might help reduce anxiety from terminal illness. Another small study, in which the active molecule in “magic mushrooms” was used as part of therapy for alcohol addiction, shows a significant reduction in the number of days alcohol was used as well as in the amount. A small US study of the drug MDMA shows a reduction in PTSD symptoms in people with chronic, treatment-resistant PTSD. “Continued medical research and scientific inquiry into psychedelic drugs may offer new ways to treat mental illness and addiction in patients who do not benefit from currently available treatments,” write the authors. Learnings from research conducted in the 1950s and 1960s, a time in which there were challenges to conducting studies and what would now be considered ethical breaches, is helping inform current research in the field. “Although methodological and political challenges remain to some degree, recent clinical studies have shown that studies on psychedelics as therapeutic agents can conform to the rigorous scientific, ethical and safety standards expected of contemporary medical research,” the authors write.

KEY POINTS • Medical interest in psychedelic drugs as treatments for illnesses such as anxiety, addiction and post-traumatic stress disorder has been renewed. • Small-scale studies involving human participants in the United States, Europe and Canada are showing that such research can be conducted in a safe and scientifically rigorous manner. • Preliminary findings show some successful results for these treatments, with significant clinical improvements and few — if any — serious adverse effects. • The emerging results may have implications for future medical and neuroscientific research, medical education and training, and public policy. Courtesy of: Canadian Medical Association Journal

Canadian researchers are leading studies that are looking at psychedelic drugs as a part of treatment for addiction and PTSD. The authors emphasize that the studies included in their analysis are small and the results preliminary; further research is needed to determine if there could be a widespread clinical application.

Global matters do not respect election cycles and demand continued attention. It is in this spirit that I am calling on you, Prime Minister, to embrace the 90-9090 Target domestically…” — Excerpt from Open Letter to the Prime Minister Calling for Endorsement of HIV/AIDS Global Target by Dr. Julio Montaner, BC-CfE Director

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LECTURES & EVENTS

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Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 10:00–3:00PM Cullen Family Lecture Theatre in St. Paul’s Hospital A light lunch will be provided.

What’s New in Addiction Medicine? Vol. 23 Image credit: Alberto Garcia

Speaker: Dr. Alexander Caudarella

AWARDS

Royal Society of Canada Honours Dr. Julio Montaner for Achievements in Medical Sciences

Tuesday, October 27, 2015, 12:00–1:00PM Hurlburt Auditorium (2nd floor), St. Paul’s Hospital

Forefront Lecture Series Challenges to research and surveillance in the HIV treatment as prevention era — an Australian perspective Speaker: Dr. Martin Holt, Centre for Social Research in Health, UNSW Australia

The BC-CfE is proud to announce its director, Dr. Julio Montaner, has been selected as a recipient of the 2015 McLaughlin Medal by the Royal Society of Canada (RSC).

Tuesday, October 6, 2015, 12:00–1:00PM

Established in 1882, the RSC is the nation’s pre-eminent national academy. It promotes learning and research in the arts, the humanities and the natural and social sciences. The McLaughlin Medal was established in 1978 and is awarded for important research of sustained excellence in any branch of medical sciences.

an infected individual’s bloodstream to undetectable levels. Dr. Montaner became the Director of the BC-CfE in 2005. One year later, he introduced the Treatment as Prevention (TasP)® strategy, a concept he pioneered, at the International AIDS Society Conference in Toronto.

“This award is especially humbling as I was selected from among my peers within the distinguished Royal Society,” said Dr. Montaner. “I hope this honour encourages young medical researchers, including those selected as fellows of the society, to forge ahead with bold, innovative work that advances Canadian science.”

Among his many titles and recognitions, Dr. Montaner has served as the President of the International AIDS Society. In 2007, he was appointed to serve as the head of the newly established Division of AIDS at the University of British Columbia Department of Medicine – the first such initiative in Canada. He has been inducted into the Canadian Medical Hall of Fame and was named Officer in the Order of Canada.

Dr. Montaner is a recognized leader in the field of medical research on HIV and AIDS. Since the start of the HIV epidemic, he has worked to improve the lives of those living with the disease. Dr. Montaner played a key role in the discovery of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), which reduces the amount of HIV in

Addiction Prevention in Youth

The ceremony for the award will take place November 27 at the Fairmont Empress Hotel in Victoria, BC. The ceremony will honour the award winners, as well as 90 Fellows of the Royal Society of Canada who were elected in 2015.

HIV Care Rounds Lung Cancer and HIV Speaker: Janice Leung Thursday, October 8, 2015, 8:00–9:00AM Drug Interactions with Antiretrovirals Speaker: Junine Toy Thursday, October 22, 2015, 8:00–9:00AM

Webinar Learning Series Connecting with Youth: HIV Testing, Care and Support for Under 30 Speakers: Clynton James Cheveyo Olausen-Walker (YouthCO Member), Dr. David Moore (Research Scientist, BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS), Sarah Chown (Program Director, YouthCO) Wednesday, September 30, 2015, 8:00–9:00AM

UBC CENTENNIAL

Register online: bit.ly/Sept30Webinar

Celebrating HIV Research & Results: Treatment as Prevention® Please join us for an exciting event, Celebrating HIV Research and Results: Treatment as Prevention®, hosted by the BC-CfE and the University of British Columbia (UBC) Division of AIDS at St. Paul’s Hospital. This day of expert panel presentations is in celebration of the UBC Centennial. One of the most significant contributions in public health started at the BC-CfE and the UBC Division of AIDS. During this event, learn how the groundbreaking Treatment as Prevention (TasP)® strategy has saved lives and changed how we treat HIV — in Canada and around the globe. TasP , including harm reduction, has resulted in a consistent decline in new HIV cases in BC, which is the only province to implement universal access to treatment upon diagnosis with HIV. Panelists will reflect on how these strategies were transformed from research into policy. The event will also highlight critical next steps and goals to be achieved in order to reach an AIDS-free generation. ®

Celebrating HIV Research and Results will feature talks and panels from prolific and recognized UBC Division of AIDS researchers. Some of the most influential researchers in the fields of medicine, addiction, HIV/AIDS will be speaking, including Dr. Julio Montaner, Director of the BC-CfE and Head of UBC Division of AIDS, as well as community representatives.

The event is free to the public, students, faculty, staff, alumni, government, and research audiences. Check out the BC-CfE website, blog, Twitter page, or Facebook page for more details on event speakers, breaking news and more. Celebrating HIV Research and Results: Treatment as Prevention® Date: Tuesday, October 27, 2015 Time: 10 AM – 3 PM

For more information, contact us at [email protected] or visit our website at www.education.cfenet.ubc.ca

BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS > Improve the health of British Columbians with HIV through comprehensive research and treatment programs;

> Develop cost-effective research and therapeutic protocols; > Provide educational support programs to health-care professionals;

> Monitor the impact of HIV/AIDS on B.C. and conduct analyses of the effectiveness of HIV-related programs.

Location: Cullen Family Lecture Theatre in St. Paul’s Hospital

Physician Drug Hotline 1.800.665.7677

Cost: Free!

St. Paul’s Hospital Pharmacy Hotline 1.888.511.6222

For more information: http://100.ubc.ca/events/ hiv-knowledge-translation-special-session/ A light lunch will be provided. The BC-CfE will be posting photos to Facebook and tweeting about the lectures during the special event. For more information, please contact: Stephanie Donovan Research Assistant Phone: (604) 682-2344 ext. 66888 E-mail: [email protected]

Website www.cfenet.ubc.ca E-mail [email protected] Funding for the BC Centre for Excellence in HIV/AIDS is provided by the BC Ministry of Health through PharmaCare and the Provincial Health Services Authority.