The Critical Care Commute Podcast Psychedelics: Is it time to change your mind? With Dr James Downer.
Jul 4, 2025
Dr. James Downar, a leading Canadian expert in palliative and critical care, dives into the fascinating world of psychedelics and their potential to alleviate psychological distress in patients facing critical illness. He discusses the transformative powers of substances like psilocybin and MDMA, exploring how they can help individuals confront fear and isolation. The conversation covers the structure of psychedelic-assisted therapy, the importance of 'set and setting,' and the need for compassion in integrating these therapies into traditional care.
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Core Psychedelic Experience
- Psychedelics produce experiences blending hallucinations and transcendental feelings by dissolving boundaries between senses and self.
- People may reinterpret distressful experiences differently, resulting in emotional relief after the session.
Phases of Psychedelic Therapy
- Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy involves preparation, session, and integration phases to maximize efficacy.
- Selection is crucial as some patients may experience distress or PTSD from psychedelic experiences.
Microdosing Psilocybin Study
- James Downar shares his ongoing study of microdosing psilocybin in palliative care, noting regulatory hurdles.
- Microdosing offers benefits like no hallucinations and reduced physiological stress, making it scalable.