The European Commission has officially registered the PsychedeliCare initiative, a significant step towards establishing a legal framework for psychedelic-assisted treatments for mental health disorders across the European Union. This European Citizens’ Initiative aims to create progressive regulations around psychedelic therapies, recognizing their potential to revolutionize mental health care.
The PsychedeliCare initiative is driven by a diverse coalition of scientists, medical professionals, therapists, researchers, artists, policy experts, and human rights activists. They are united by a shared belief in the power of science and a commitment to providing safe and accessible psychedelic-assisted therapy to European citizens. The group emphasizes the importance of establishing expert consensus on the standards of care, including therapist training, ethical guidelines, and robust safety measures. They also advocate for E.U.-funded research to strengthen the evidence base on the safety and efficacy of psychedelic treatments for various mental health conditions.
The initiative underscores the immense economic burden of mental health disorders in the E.U., estimated at €600 billion annually by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development. With a staggering 50% of psychiatric patients failing to respond to current treatments, the initiative highlights the urgent need for innovative approaches. The E.U.’s approval of only one new psychiatric treatment in the past three years, compared to 68 new oncology treatments, further emphasizes this critical need.
The PsychedeliCare organizers cite the growing global momentum for psychedelic research and therapy as a source of inspiration. They point to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) breakthrough therapy designations for MDMA and psilocybin, as well as advancements in Canada and Australia allowing psychedelic-assisted therapies for conditions such as anxiety and depression. They believe that the E.U. has an opportunity to join this global movement and become a leader in psychedelic research and development.
To move forward, the PsychedeliCare initiative must collect 1 million signatures within a year, achieving minimum thresholds in at least seven E.U. countries. If successful, the European Commission will be required to respond to the initiative and consider potential legal action. This would be a landmark achievement for the movement, positioning Europe as a global hub for psychedelic therapy innovation and potentially transforming the landscape of mental health care in the region.
