About this program
EnrollDate
Self Paced
Occasions
Learn at your own pace
Place
Online
Language
English
Price
250 CAD + tax
Facilitators
Course description
This course will bring you on a journey through the effects elicited by ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin on the body and mind as it relates to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
The content developed for this course is based on current literature and research and analyzed through the lens of trauma and violence-informed care and through commitments to social justice, equity, dignity, inclusion, cultural safety, and humility.
In the course, you will learn about the dose ranges, indications, contraindications, and concomitant medications of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin. You will also learn about some fundamental pharmacology and neurobiology as it relates to the administration of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
This program is open to health care providers and members of the general public looking to dive into the chemistry of these important molecules.
This course has been accredited through the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA), l’Ordre des psychologues du Québec (OPQ), and the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA). This is applicable to regulated professionals.
This course can be completed at your own pace whenever it is most convenient for you, however the course must be completed within 1 year of your registration date. If the course is not completed after 1 year, you will not be eligible for a refund, and you will need to re-register.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Content Overview
Please use the arrows below to learn more about what will be taught in each module.
Topics
• Trauma psychobiology
• Neurotransmitters
• Neuroplasticity
• Pharmacodynamics
• Pharmacokinetics
• Traditional mental health pharmacotherapy
• Comparing psychedelic medicines and properties
Learning Outcomes
• Describe the role of neurotransmitters in the body and brain.
• Explain the difference between pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics.
• Explain the general mechanism of action of traditional pharmacopsychotherapy.
• Define the various categories of psychotropic substances within the context of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Distinguish between an effect and a side effect for the purposes of client education.
• Compare the differences and similarities between psilocybin, MDMA, and ketamine for the purposes of psychedelic-assisted therapy.
Topics
• Molecular structure of the medicine(s)
• History of the medicine(s)
• Legal status of the medicine(s)
Learning Outcomes
• Describe the molecular structure of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.
• Describe the subjective and physiological effects and side effects of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin according to different dose ranges as they relate to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Explain the primary effects and mechanisms of action of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin on the brain, including connectivity in the brain and activation of serotonin receptors.
• List key historical events that led to the usage of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Identify the current legal status of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in Canada and the United States.
• Discuss the need to uphold cultural safety and humility within an Indigenous context.
Topics
• Indications treated with the medicine(s)
• Key studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy
• Anesthetic vs psychedelic vs psycholytic vs microdoses dose ranges and effects
• Mechanisms of action
Learning Outcomes
• Explain the risks, benefits, and pharmacological knowledge of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in plain language to interdisciplinary colleagues and to clients as part of the informed consent process.
• Describe recommended dosages, expected duration, metabolism, and expected intensity of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.
• Discuss key areas of research on ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.
• Explain the pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.
• Describe the subjective and physiological effects and side effects of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin according to different dose ranges as they relate to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Explain the primary effects and mechanisms of action of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin on the brain, including connectivity in the brain and activation of serotonin receptors.
• Explain for which indications ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin is used.
Topics
• Side effects
• Harm reduction
• Topics important for consent
• Contraindications
• Concomitant medications and supplements
Learning Outcomes
• Explain the risks, benefits, and pharmacological knowledge of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in plain language to interdisciplinary colleagues and to clients as part of the informed consent process.
• Describe the subjective and physiological effects and side effects of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin according to different dose ranges as they relate to psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Describe the contraindications and concomitant medications of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin in order to determine client suitability for psychedelic-assisted therapy.
• Identify models of substance use, potential for addiction, and opportunities for recovery for ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.
Learning Outcomes
After the course, you’ll be able to
Apply pharmacological knowledge of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin to the facilitation or development of a psychedelic-assisted therapy protocol in a clinical setting.
Compare the wide range of effects, side effects, effects of long-term use, and abuse potential of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin.
Apply cultural safety and humility to the administration of ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin as part of psilocybin-assisted therapy in order to avoid cultural appropriation and cultural harm.
Screen clients and determine if ketamine, MDMA, and psilocybin would be best suited for a given client or clinical presentation.
Disclaimer
The continuing professional development program in no way promotes, condones, or facilitates illegal activity, and is strictly for educational and harm reduction purposes only. Please be aware that certain psychedelic substances still remain illegal in many jurisdictions, including Canada. This program and the contents of this website do not constitute medical advice and are not a substitute for professional medical advice and treatment.
FAQs
No, there are no prerequisites.
Yes – for 4 hours per course (ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin)
No – the Molecular Foundations courses are entirely asynchronous and can be completed on your own schedule.
Yes – absolutely
We’re happy to help. Send us an e-mail at training@numinus.com
