Will Psilocybin and MDMA Therapy Legalization Be A Threat To Ketamine Clinics?

Synopsis: Explore the intersection of MDMA and psilocybin legalization with the future of ketamine clinics in this insightful blog. Understand the unique challenges and opportunities that evolving psychedelic therapies present to existing ketamine practitioners.

Key takeaway: Despite the evolving landscape of psychedelic medicine, ketamine clinics hold a vital place. They offer a distinct approach with shorter, more flexible treatment sessions that complement the potential integration of MDMA and psilocybin therapies.

This blog was edited and adapted from the podcast transcript of Episode 12 - Is The Legalization of Psilocybin and MDMA Therapy a Future Threat for Ketamine Clinics? which you can listen to wherever you enjoy your favorite podcast!

With the psychedelic therapy landscape rapidly evolving, many in our community are voicing a concern: Could the legalization of MDMA and psilocybin therapies overshadow the work being done in ketamine clinics? While just a few weeks ago the FDA voted against MDMA therapy for PTSD, the door isn’t completely shut. What does that mean for us in the ketamine therapy space? In this blog post, we aim to answer this question!  

Does the legalization of MDMA and psilocybin therapy threaten the future of ketamine clinics? 

This is a question we often get asked, rather quite a lot during our webinars, or when we share we are in the ketamine therapy industry. As of this writing, the FDA voted against MDMA therapy for PTSD with a final vote to be made on August 11, 2024. Whether or not there is a vote for the approval, this discussion of other similar, yet not same treatments, brings up a good question: are treatments that cause non-ordinary states of consciousness a threat or competition for ketamine therapy? "My thought right off the bat is no," Kim explains. 

[00:10:26] Kim: The question is not a matter of if, but when MDMA and psilocybin get legalized, or even where (perhaps for some states and others not). If you're already going to be practicing in this psychedelic, non ordinary state, mental health, pain treatment space, you will already know how to run your medical practice and business.

Providing innovative treatment alone isn’t enough. We also need to know how to build a business which supports sustainable, ethical, and healthy medical clinics. We believe in the importance of personal health and well-being in those who work in our clinic; providers and support staff included!

It is important to take into consideration the logistical and financial demands of providing MDMA and psilocybin treatments as opposed to those of ketamine treatments.

How do MDMA and Psilocybin therapies' operational demands compare to those of ketamine treatments? 

We anticipate there will be logistical challenges associated with MDMA and psilocybin treatments, such as the lengthy session times and intensive resource requirements. The current proposed protocols for one MDMA session may last up to 12 hours. That's a long time for two healthcare providers to be with a patient. This contrasts with the relatively shorter and more flexible sessions of ketamine therapy. 

When this question of whether these potentially new therapies are a threat to ketamine treatments are posed, the individual asking didn’t take into account the logical and financial demands of providing the treatments. Running a medical practice, or any business actually, takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears. Now throw in a regulation of having two healthcare providers be with a patient for 12 hours, how much is that going to cost the medical practice providing this, let alone how much will this cost the patient? 

How does experience with ketamine clinics benefit the adoption of other psychedelic therapies? 

We believe operating a ketamine clinic provides a solid foundation for integrating other psychedelic therapies into practice. Sam highlights the advantage of established operational practices when adapting to new treatments, and goes on to say there will always be space for ketamine therapy:

[00:15:59] Sam: If someone opens up a clinic now and they specialize in ketamine, then they will be familiar with these non-ordinary states of consciousness, as well as the preparation, intentions, experience and integration. So the bottom line is that I think the ketamine infusions will always be here. It's [ketamine therapy] another tool in the arsenal and it works in a different mechanism of action. 

At the end of the day, don't be afraid of these other medications as healthcare professionals, because we're here to just help people regardless of what it is. That's my goal. Like I look at the science, I practice evidence based medicine and really what's going to help that individual for their certain condition.

The future of MDMA and psilocybin do not pose a threat to ketamine therapy; but rather, add to the spectrum of the currently available treatments.

A Converging Path for Psychedelic Therapies 

While MDMA and psilocybin bring new dimensions to psychedelic therapy, they don’t negate or overshadow the role of ketamine clinics. Rather, these potential future therapies complement the spectrum of available treatments, offering diverse options for patient care. As the landscape of psychedelic medicine continues to evolve, our experience from ketamine clinics will be invaluable.

Related Questions:

How might the legalization of MDMA and psilocybin impact ketamine clinics?

• The legalization of these therapies introduces more options but doesn’t necessarily threaten ketamine clinics; instead, it enriches the spectrum of available psychedelic therapies.

Can ketamine clinics adapt to include MDMA or psilocybin treatments in the future?

• Yes, clinics currently specializing in ketamine are well-positioned to adapt due to their understanding of non-ordinary states of consciousness and the operational demands of psychedelic therapies.

If you enjoyed this blog, you might want to check out these posts as well:

How Long Does It Take For A Ketamine Clinic To Be Successful?

Discover the journey to ketamine clinic success; exploring our personal experiences, key factors influencing success, and essential tips for defining and achieving your own success in the psychedelic medicine space.

How To Perform Transformational Ketamine Infusions: An Introduction

There is no doubt that ketamine infusions are effective in treating mood disorders. However, this shouldn't be treated as just a medication, but something that can transform your patients too. They simply don't heal, but their lives completely change as well. Head over to our blog to read about how you can perform transformational ketamine infusions. 

The Importance of Set & Setting During Ketamine Infusions

Did you know that you shouldn't rely on the ketamine infusions alone to treat your patients? Both you and your patient also have a role to play. And that is to create the right "set and setting" in order to make the most of the ketamine infusion. Learn more about this topic at our blog.

Explore the intersection of MDMA and psilocybin legalization with the future of ketamine clinics in this insightful blog. Understand the unique challenges and opportunities that evolving psychedelic therapies present to existing ketamine practitioners.

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