The University of Ottawa (U of O) has announced what it says is Canada’s first-ever microprogram on psychedelic studies is now being offered virtually.
The microprogram consists of three courses, each composed of three units. The first course explores a variety of topics including Indigenous perspectives, other comparative mysticism, neuroscience and psychology. The second course focuses on harm reduction approaches and differentiation among substances. Finally, the third course examines sacred plants and how they are used cross-culturally and ceremonially.
The program blends several academic disciplines including religion, health, anthropology and psychology. It is targeted towards upper-year undergraduate and graduate students.
Anne Vallely, an associate professor with the department of classics and religious studies, and Monnica Williams, associate professor at the school of psychology, created the program together.
Vallely said the two met at a conference that she organized on end-of-life issues and psychedelics in December of 2018. One year later, Williams joined U of O’s faculty.
“We met and just talked about our shared interest and [thought], ‘Wouldn’t it be great to have a course that explored the spiritual but also psychological dimensions of psychedelics?’” Vallely said.
Vallely said the program teaches new ways of knowing to students and explores a topic that is often stigmatized. The conversation of legalizing psychedelic substances for medicinal uses is rapidly evolving; Vallely believes programs such as the one they created will be needed to educate students that may work within this field.
Challian Christ, a master’s student in religious studies at uOttawa, is a participant in the microprogram. Christ said he believes there is misinformation surrounding the topic of psychedelics, which may stigmatize those seeking knowledge and legitimate treatments.
“I don’t want to see people pursuing these therapies or education being stigmatized, and I want people to understand that this could be a paradigm shift in the way we address many mental health issues,” Christ said.
He added he feels the study of psychedelics has earned its place in academia and studying the topic may change the way society views the subject as a whole.
Vallely said the inspiration for the microprogram stems from her early research on Jainism, an ancient religion from India, as well as her own experiences. She said that within Jainism, death is thought of as a meaningful experience.
Conversely, Vallely said Western culture can be “highly death phobic.” As a result, the process of dying is riddled with fear, anxiety and depression.
After experiencing the loss of her father, Vallely was able to view first-hand the distressing feelings people face while dying. Her recent research explores the idea that the use of psychedelic plant medicines can reduce or eliminate the fear of death.
“I remember just thinking, ‘Wow, I wish I knew about this for my own father,’ and it wasn’t just my father but the sort of atmosphere in which [we] all die,” Vallely said, highlighting one of the medicinal uses of these kinds of substances. Vallely said the discovery sent her down the path of her research and to eventually create the microprogram.
Amy Bartlett, a volunteer for the Ottawa Psychedelic Education Network (OPEN) and a PhD student in classics and religious studies at U of O, played a supporting role in building this microprogram. She said she believes having educational options on psychedelics, such as OPEN and the microprogram, offers those interested in this field of study a safe place to learn without judgment.
“The microprogram is helpful in terms of allowing people to engage intellectually with the field because psychedelics are not for everybody,” Bartlett said. “This is a way for people to engage with their heads and not necessarily have to take these substances.”
According to Vallely and Christ, the microprogram has generated significant interest from students. Vallely said the program has been capped at about 45 students as it develops, and she said they’ve had to decline students. The overwhelming engagement has allowed for the creation of a master’s program in psychedelic studies set to be revealed next year.
“The microprogram is the first step to a larger plan and this isn’t where we want to stop in terms of looking at educational opportunities [in psychedelics],” Bartlett said.
Featured graphic by Sara Mizannojehdehi.
