Psychedelic-assisted therapy is a promising and innovative mental health treatment with a growing body of internationally-based research into its efficacy.
Though, this therapy is still considered experimental and pending further evidence before regulatory approval and its potential widespread clinical adoption. In the United Kingdom, psychedelic-assisted therapy has recently undergone research-related and regulatory developments that put it on the path to becoming an established and licensed treatment.
Most controlled substances in the UK are classified under Schedule 1 Controlled Drugs Regulations. This includes the psychedelics being currently researched for their efficacy in treating mental health-related conditions such as MDMA, psilocybin, LSD, DMT, and more. This means that a license must be granted by the UK government in order for their possession and use in clinical trials.
Despite this barrier, several leading universities and institutions continue to research psychedelics as a therapeutic treatment for mental health. We are one of the life sciences companies helping the UK mental health sector develop by providing controlled substances to clinical trials and mental health research.
The UK government recently invested £10 million to support the next generation of addiction researchers and bolster innovative and essential studies in the field. Additionally, the UK government responded positively to the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs’ call to improve the licensing system and reduce barriers for the research of Schedule 1 Controlled Drugs by universities and hospitals. These developments bode well for the future of psychedelic-assisted therapy and addiction research in the UK.
Below are some of the ongoing clinical trials and research groups taking place in the UK, furthering the international foundation of evidence for psychedelic-assisted therapy to become an established treatment for mental health-related conditions:
King’s College London (KCL) Psychoactive Trials Group
The Institute of Psychology, Psychiatry & Neuroscience at King’s College London holds clinical trials in their Psychoactive Trials Group to research the efficacy of psychedelics on treatment-resistant depression and PTSD. This group also develops resources and approaches to training therapists, if licensed. Their current ongoing trials include the use of psilocybin and DMT to treat treatment-resistant depression.
Imperial College London Centre for Psychedelic Research
The Centre for Psychedelic Research at Imperial College London demonstrates breakthrough neuroimaging with psychedelic-assisted therapy clinical trials using psilocybin, MDMA and DMT. Recently published studies include: psilocybin used to treat Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD), ketamine used to treat bipolar disorder, and serotonergic psychedelics used to treat personality disorders. Ongoing clinical trials by this group include psilocybin-induced mental imagery re-scripting for youth who self-harm, and a study on those who actively or want to microdose psychedelics.
Mirabilis Health
Based in Northern Ireland, Mirabilis Health regularly conducts ketamine-assisted therapy and runs clinical trials with psychedelics for trauma and mood-related conditions. Their recent trials study methylone as a treatment for PTSD, and upcoming trials will research the efficacy of psilocybin to treat generalized anxiety disorder as well as psilocin for major depressive disorder.
University College London (UCL), The UNITy Project
The UNITy Project is led by the University College London’s Department of Psychology and Language Science and: “aims to investigate psychedelic-induced brain changes and to map these to changes in cognition, behaviour, and well-being.” They are currently researching the efficacy of DMT to reduce alcohol consumption in heavy drinkers, and have plans to research the effects of LSD on the brain and how it can treat mental health and addiction.
Sunshine Labs is excited to be involved in the continuing growth of psychedelic-assisted therapy worldwide. We will continue to support these developments by facilitating mental health research and clinical trials with our Dealer’s License.