Citizen’s Forum “Psychedelic Therapies in the German Healthcare System – How, Who, for Whom?”
In the context of the Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften on the 17th of June, the MIND Foundation hosted a citizen’s forum concerning the topic “Psychedelic Therapies in the German Health Care System – how, who, for whom? A discussion concerning the implementation of Psilocybin-assisted Therapy“.
The citizen’s forum is part of a research project about the “Acceptance and Implementation of Psychedelic Therapies”, funded by the German federal Ministry of Education and Research (BMBF).
What is a Citizen’s Forum?
A citizen’s forum is a method of democratic participation. Its aim is to involve the public into decision making processes. The fair representation of all affected citizens is essential. Therefore participants are selected based on criteria of diversity and variety.
What is it about? The Implementation of Psilocybin-assisted Therapy in the German Healthcare System
Different universities and companies are striving for the implementation of the psychedelic substance psilocybin as medication in the context of therapy in the healthcare system. After successful termination of Phase III-studies, approval is expected in the next couple of years. Respective research projects are far advanced. However, in order to realize their potentials and minimize their risks, the actual implementation of these therapies has to be designed in a way that involves society.
We hosted a 3-hour-long public debate about the topic of the new psychedelic therapies. We encouraged a critical discourse about this topic. Aside from the potentials of this form of therapy we were especially interested in its risks and in hearing sceptical voices. The citizen’s forum took place online as well as in the rooms of MIND Foundation.
