In The Media
Thank you to North Kansas City Hospital for inviting me to speak on this topic.
Psychedelics and Mental Health
Missouri Lawmakers Hold Hearing On Therapeutic Psilocybin Legalization Bill
Published
3 days ago
on
January 30, 2024
By
A Missouri House committee considered a proposal on Tuesday that would legalize the medical use of psilocybin in the state and mandate clinical trials exploring the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic. A separate Senate committee hearing on similar legislation that was scheduled to take place was canceled, however.
Rep. Aaron McMullen (R) and Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R) introduced similar versions of the legislation last month. Under both measures, adults 21 or older diagnosed with a qualifying condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or substance use disorders could legally access laboratory-tested psilocybin. They also would need to be enrolled, or have sought enrollment, in a state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) clinical trial involving the psychedelic.
McMullen, sponsor of HB 1830, told members of the House Veterans Committee that he never expected to be leading psychedelics reform efforts.
A Missouri House committee considered a proposal on Tuesday that would legalize the medical use of psilocybin in the state and mandate clinical trials exploring the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic. A separate Senate committee hearing on similar legislation that was scheduled to take place was canceled, however.
Rep. Aaron McMullen (R) and Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R) introduced similar versions of the legislation last month. Under both measures, adults 21 or older diagnosed with a qualifying condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or substance use disorders could legally access laboratory-tested psilocybin. They also would need to be enrolled, or have sought enrollment, in a state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) clinical trial involving the psychedelic.
McMullen, sponsor of HB 1830, told members of the House Veterans Committee that he never expected to be leading psychedelics reform efforts.
“If someone said that I would be presenting…on a psilocybin bill to treat depression, I would have said, ‘You’re absolutely out of your mind,'” he said. “But the studies have shown that this is the most promising avenue to help treat and tackle these problems” that many people, especially veterans, are experiencing.
Under the proposal as introduced, psilocybin could be administered over a maximum of only one year. The amount used in that period would be limited to 150 milligrams, though qualifying patients could apply for subsequent one-year approvals. Patients would need to provide DHSS with details about their diagnoses, who would be administering psilocybin and other details on the time and place of treatment sessions.
A Missouri House committee considered a proposal on Tuesday that would legalize the medical use of psilocybin in the state and mandate clinical trials exploring the therapeutic potential of the psychedelic. A separate Senate committee hearing on similar legislation that was scheduled to take place was canceled, however.
Rep. Aaron McMullen (R) and Sen. Holly Thompson Rehder (R) introduced similar versions of the legislation last month. Under both measures, adults 21 or older diagnosed with a qualifying condition such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or substance use disorders could legally access laboratory-tested psilocybin. They also would need to be enrolled, or have sought enrollment, in a state Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) clinical trial involving the psychedelic.
McMullen, sponsor of HB 1830, told members of the House Veterans Committee that he never expected to be leading psychedelics reform efforts.
A New Poll Finds That Floridians Want Legal Marijuana
0 seconds of 30 secondsVolume 0%
“If someone said that I would be presenting…on a psilocybin bill to treat depression, I would have said, ‘You’re absolutely out of your mind,'” he said. “But the studies have shown that this is the most promising avenue to help treat and tackle these problems” that many people, especially veterans, are experiencing.
Under the proposal as introduced, psilocybin could be administered over a maximum of only one year. The amount used in that period would be limited to 150 milligrams, though qualifying patients could apply for subsequent one-year approvals. Patients would need to provide DHSS with details about their diagnoses, who would be administering psilocybin and other details on the time and place of treatment sessions.
The legislation also calls for DHSS to provide $2 million in grants to support “research on the use and efficacy of psilocybin.”
Under state law, regulators, physicians and state agency officials would be protected from legal consequences related to activity legalized through the change.
Brad Bailey, a retired Navy SEAL, testified on Tuesday that veterans who stand to benefit from psychedelic therapy are now being forced to travel to Mexico and other countries to access the treatments. “It’s really hard to convince somebody” suffering from severe mental health issues “to go to a foreign country and get treatment that they should be able to get here in the United States,” he said.
Anne Bethune, who currently provides ketamine-assisted therapy, told lawmakers that legalizing psilocybin treatments “will improve the quality of life for a lot of people in Missouri and in surrounding states.”
Elaine Brewer of the Grunt Style Foundation said her experience as a military spouse and seeing her husband’s struggles after returning home from war has driven her advocacy for psychedelic access.
“I am incredibly optimistic about what psychedelic therapy can do for Missouri veterans struggling year after year with suicidal thoughts, post-traumatic stress, depression and anxiety,” she said. “Current research indicates that psychedelic substances can foster relaxation, improve well-being, enhance social connectivity, promote introspection and produce profound healing experiences.”
On the Senate side, the body’s Emerging Issues Committee was set to hear the psilocybin legislation as well as two unrelated bills on Tuesday, but that meeting was canceled—along with a number of other Senate committee hearings.
As introduced, SB 786 takes its lead from a separate House bill that advanced to the floor of that chamber last year but was not ultimately enacted.
Eapen Thampy, a lobbyist for American Shaman and organizer of Psychedelic Missouri, told Marijuana Moment last month that he expects the Senate measure “will be further refined through the committee process.”
Advocates in the state are calling on supporters to ask their legislators to pass the bills.
Psychedelic Missouri said in an email to supporters that enacting the reforms is important because despite the Food and Drug Administration designating psilocybin a breakthrough therapy in 2018, “six year later psilocybin has still not been approved for use.”
It added that the regulated program “can provide the framework for other psychedelic therapies” that are further away from federal approval, “including LSD, ayahuasca, or ibogaine.”
The email said that while advocacy has made an impact in recent years, political realities in the Senate could still limit the proposal’s chances.
“This is the 4th year we have worked to advance psychedelic therapy access in Missouri and I’m proud to say I think we have won the argument—however, this year, divisions in the Missouri Senate have put passage of any legislation in jeopardy,” it said. “We’re hoping that lawmakers see the urgency of passing House Bill 1830 & Senate Bill 768.”
SInce testifying in favor of HB 1830 to expand access to psilocybin for therapeutic use, language has been added to the house and senate bills to limit this treatment option to veterans. I encourage you to contact the bills’ sponsors, linked below, to express your opinion regarding restricting access for Missourians and those from surrounding states who may benefit from psychedelic therapy.
Aaron.McMullen@house.mo.gov://www.senate.mo.gov/DistrictWebApplication/Contact?DistrictNumber=27
https://www.senate.mo.gov/DistrictWebApplication/Contact?DistrictNumber=27
Local veteran finds new healing with ketamine assisted psychotherapy
By Sharon Chen
Published: Feb. 9, 2023 at 10:25 PM CST|Updated: Feb. 9, 2023 at 10:30 PM CST
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - A local veteran from North Kansas City is finding new healing from what is usually thought of as an illegal party drug.
Crystal Clark said ketamine assisted psychotherapy, or KAP, sessions are changing her life. She invited KCTV5 to attend a session.
“It’s just this feeling of expansion,” Clark said.
Clark is an Army Veteran and former defense contractor for the Army. She served two tours to Iraq, one in 2004 and 2008. She served as a defense contractor following her service, mostly in Afghanistan.
Like many of whom return from the war zone, she suffered from intense anger and anxiety -- PTSD.
“I had a deep fear of being judged,” Clark said. “I would filter everything I said through three layers.”
Clark even turned to drugs to cope after returning home from her first tour in Iraq in 2005.
“Cocaine was my go-to,” she said. “It was just a way to numb out.”
She even considered giving up.
“I didn’t want to die, but I was exhausted,” the veteran said. “I wanted my anxiety to stop.”
She tried everything from medication to traditional therapy. Eventually, she landed at the door of Anne Bethune at KAP KC.
“Your mind is the medicine,” Bethune said.
Bethune is a clinical social worker who was one of the first in the Midwest to offer KAP sessions.
“It was just this sense of, ‘We have to do better if there’s something out there, something that can help more people,’” Bethune said.
Born out of the 1960s, ketamine was used as a battlefield anesthetic in Vietnam and Afghanistan. The ketamine works as a portal, allowing clients to enter into what’s called a stream of consciousness.
“It’s a trip. You can feel like you’re out of body, you’re moving through air,” Bethune explained. “They know they’re here but they’re very much in their head.”
It’s unclear how ketamine works, but it is believed to boost feel-good chemicals. Studies show it allows the brain to form neural pathways, and create new habits and behaviors.
“It gives you access to the possibility that you can be free from these limiting beliefs, you can feel connected to something bigger than yourself that feels hopeful,” Bethune said.
Bethune said unlocking that hope provides the mindset for a clean slate.
“They come back and say, ‘Everything’s really OK,’” Bethune said. “So, this is a reset. It doesn’t wipe out the memory. It doesn’t wipe out the experience.”
“If I had to describe the time before ketamine, I would say nervous, neurotic, out of control, messy and aggressive,” Clark said.
Crystal is now on her fourth KAP session. She said the treatments have allowed her to leave the past behind.
“Things have really changed,” Clark said. “Now I’m responsive, as opposed to reactive. Spacious as in I have more space for compulsions that were always like anger. I have more harmony, flow, and peace.”
She’s even telling her story for the public to hear.
“I had a deep fear of being judged!” Crystal said. “Let this be a testament to the power of psychedelics.”
Ketamine treatments run about $500-$800 per session. They are generally not covered by insurance.
Known side effects can include: Changes in blood pressure, changes in mood, nausea, and drowsiness.
Bethune said to use caution if you’re interested in ketamine treatments.
“The centers are popular, especially since the pandemic,” Bethune said. “Make sure you go to one backed by clinical professionals. You need someone who can help you respond in a therapeutic way.”
The KAP session also requires an intake session where the patient’s maladies, goals, and intentions are assessed. You will also need a prescription from a physician for the ketamine.
Copyright 2023 KCTV. All rights reserved.
This is Anne. KAP Kansas City has helped hundreds of clients move past self limiting beliefs, feelings of stuckness, anxiety and depression. As I said to Sharon Chen, we have to do better. Please support and follow Psychedelic Missouri to stay up to date on the progress being made to expand access to healing medicines.
Stories & Insights.
Kansas City Magazine Article
A Look Inside Ketamine-Assisted Therapy, Which is Now Available in KC
“In one modest, sepia-toned Midtown office, a licensed social worker is trying a new weapon in the battle against anxiety, PTSD and grief—one that’s more closely associated with Jerry Garcia and Timothy Leary.
Earlier this year, clinical social worker Anne Bethune launched a practice to provide psychotherapy to patients seeking therapy for mental health issues. Her practice uses ketamine, a scheduled psychedelic drug developed as an anesthetic in the sixties and later used recreationally by nineties club kids.” Read More
Turning Point Classes (Part of the University of Kansas Health System)
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy: Mind and Medicine
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is used to treat depression, anxiety, trauma, and existential distress. This program will introduce the treatment, which combines the dissociative properties of ketamine with the support of a psychotherapist for a unique and transformative experience. Read More
VoyageKC
Meet Anne Bethune: Rising Stars Read More
