In the midst of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, an American-based training organization for psychedelic therapy is teaming with Ukrainian healthcare professionals to provide their services to treat trauma using plant-based medicines.
The U.S. firm Fluence announced Wednesday that, one month after Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky signed legislation legalizing medical marijuana — in part to help soldiers treat physical and mental injuries incurred during Ukraine’s war against Russia– it has launched a new initiative aimed at facilitating treatment with psychedelics.
Fluence, in partnership with the Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association and the U.S. nonprofit Heal Ukrainian Trauma (HUT), said that it would provide free training materials to psychologists and doctors in the war-torn country who were interested in incorporating psychedelics in their practices.
In Ukraine, psychedelics are not legalized. Fluence reported that more than 540 mental healthcare professionals had already signed up to the program.
In a press statement, Ingmar Gordon, CEO of Fluence said, “We feel honored to be able to help Ukraine’s mental healthcare professionals by collaborating with the Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association (UPRA) and Heal Ukraine Trauma.” By providing our psychedelic training materials, Fluence aims to empower practitioners in order to heal the psychological effects of war. This initiative demonstrates our commitment to encouraging hope and resilience when faced with adversity.
Fluence also took part in studies to determine the therapeutic value of psilocybin as a treatment for alcoholism. Gorman, on his own, praised the results of a trial conducted last year which paved the path for Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) consideration for MDMA as a potential therapeutic.
As the Russian invasion entered its third year in Ukraine, lawmakers passed legislation this year allowing access to medical marijuana, with an emphasis on treating trauma related to the conflict. The President signed the law into law last month.
MP Dmytro Gurin, a member of the health committee of the Parliament and the Servant of the People Party of the President, told Members of the European Parliament in November last year that he wanted support to make Ukraine a centre for psychedelics to combat the mental health crisis related to the war.
He said, “We face a catastrophic challenge.” “Such challenges require bold decisions.”
The Ukrainian military is reportedly in contact with psychedelics advocates based in the United States to explore ibogaine as a treatment for traumatic brain injury among servicemen. In January, a study was published that spoke of the “dramatic” as well as “life-changing effects” the psychedelic has on veterans suffering from PTSD or depression.
Oleh Orlov said, “Psychedelic-assisted therapies are a beacon for hope in a nation deeply affected by war scars.”
He said that this innovative approach to mental healthcare is more than just healing. “For Ukraine, whose collective psyche is burdened by war and trauma, this represents not only a medical advance, but also a vital step towards emotional resilience and national recovery.”
In January of this year, the Department of Veterans Affairs in the United States issued a separate request for applications on psychedelics as a treatment of PTSD and depression.
The FDA joined scientists recently at a meeting of the public on Next Steps for Conducting Research to Develop Psychedelic Medicines.
This came after FDA released historic draft guidance on studies of psychedelics. It provided scientists with a structure to conduct research that could lead them to develop novel medicines.
Connecticut Lawmakers consider psilocybin decriminalization bill in joint committee hearing
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