Every rave-goer knows that with the event almost always comes the potential presence of psychedelic drugs. The general opinion on drugs is often split – some completely against drugs, some completely advocate for their benefits at a show. But no matter the viewpoint, doing drugs alone always has potential risks.
Mark Haden, a researcher and addictions counselor in Vancouver, is especially interested in learning all there is to know about how psychedelics can be therapeutic. Specifically, his research focuses on how MDMA – ecstacy – can help post-traumatic stress disorder.
Sounds complex and science-y, but the bottom line is this: if Health Canada approves Haden’s research, psychedelic drugs could be legal in Canada within the next five years.
Woah.
But wait! There’s more. The legalization could also create a new profession: psychedelic supervisor.
Say what?
In an interview with CBC Radio, Haden described the job as “somebody that oversees a psychedelic session, and provides a context for an experience that somebody has with psychedelics.” In layman’s terms, the supervisor essentially makes sure the trippee has a good trip.
Haden also explained there are three risks to taking psychedelics – toxicity, dependency, and behavioral – the greatest of which is the latter. This is why he and his team advocate for a supervisory position.
“People who do really foolish things when they’re on a psychedelics (sic) can create problems for themselves and the people around them,” Haden said. “So if we want to regulate psychedelics in a legal world, doing it with a supervisor would make absolute and complete sense.”
The training to become a psychedelic supervisor, Haden said, would be comparable to going to medical or law school. There would also be different types of supervisors who specialize in different things, such as a psychotherapy focus.
