Episode 52: CAN-PACT: Reimagining Cancer Care Through Psychedelic Therapy with Dr. Ron Shore & Dr. Linda Carlson

What this episode covers

In this episode of the MAPS Canada Podcast, host Matt Hamel speaks with Dr. Linda Carlson and Dr. Ron Shore about CAN-PACT (the Canadian Network for Psychedelic-Assisted Cancer Therapy), a groundbreaking national initiative exploring the role of psilocybin-assisted therapy for people living with advanced cancer. Dr. Carlson and Dr. Shore discuss the emotional and existential challenges many cancer patients face, including anxiety, uncertainty, grief, demoralization, and fear surrounding death and dying. They explain how CAN-PACT is building a cross-Canada network of researchers, clinicians, patient partners, and educators to investigate how psychedelic-assisted therapy may help address these deeply human experiences. The conversation explores: • Existential distress and demoralization in cancer care • Group-based psilocybin-assisted therapy • Mindfulness and psychedelic-assisted therapy • The role of spirituality, meaning, and connection • Training clinicians for future psychedelic-assisted care • The future of psychedelic-assisted therapy in Canada The episode also examines how CAN-PACT hopes to create sustainable, evidence-based models that could eventually be integrated into mainstream cancer care across Canada. Learn more about CAN-PACT: https://canpact.ca Watch the MAPS Canada Research Room presentation featuring CAN-PACT: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lA3MGuxkiC0 Working with partners in government, business, and the community, MAPS Canada is committed to advancing psychedelic medicine by supporting scientific, multidisciplinary research; advocating for drug policy reform; offering public education; and supporting equitable access to legal and regulated psychedelic medicine in Canada. The Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS) was formed in the US in 1986, in response to the US Drug Enforcement Agency’s classification of MDMA as Schedule 1 substance, and has been developing medical, legal, and cultural contexts for people to benefit from the careful uses of psychedelics since then. MAPS Canada was founded as a sister organization to MAPS in 2011, and is a registered Canadian non-profit organization. Based in Vancouver and with hundreds of volunteers from across Canada, MAPS Canada is moving forward to become the leading Canadian source of information, resources and advocacy regarding psychedelic medicine and related clinical research, education, and public policy. Learn More at https://mapscanada.org/about/ MAPS Canada is entirely funded by public donation and your support really makes a difference. Find out about all the ways you can support MAPS Canada’s mission by visiting our donation link https://mapscanada.org/donate/Support MAPS Canada Podcast