Specialized program to research and scale access to psychedelic medicine opens new doors for patients with chronic and serious illness
TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / October 7, 2021 / Novamind Inc. (CSE:NM)(OTCQB:NVMDF)(FSE:HN2) ("Novamind" or the "Company"), a leading mental health company specialized in psychedelic medicine, is pleased to launch Psychedelic Palliative Care by Novamind (the "Palliative Program") at its recently opened clinic and research site in Murray, Utah.
Among the first-of-its-kind, the Palliative Program combines psychedelic medicine with psychotherapy, workshops, multi-day immersive retreats and group support for palliative care patients and families who are coping with chronic and serious illness.
"Patients receiving palliative care have higher rates of depression than the general population. Unfortunately, standard anti-depression and anti-anxiety treatments do not work for everyone, can cause side effects, and can take up to eight weeks to work," explained Dr. Paul Thielking, Chief Scientific Officer (CSO) of Novamind. "Due to psychedelic medicine's generally low side effect burden and fast-acting nature, it shows promise for patients who are physically ill and might have limited life expectancies."
Through Novamind's clinical research division, the Palliative Program will host studies to investigate the use of psychedelic medicine including ketamine and establish the infrastructure for future clinical studies examining psilocybin. This work will build on notable studies from
New York University and
Johns Hopkins University, which demonstrated psilocybin's significant immediate and sustained improvements in anxiety and depression symptoms in cancer patients.
Prior to his role as Novamind's CSO, Dr. Thielking developed ketamine-assisted treatment protocols for cancer patients experiencing depression at the University of Utah Huntsman Cancer Institute (HCI). He also pioneered an ongoing HCI study examining the feasibility of group-administered psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cancer patients experiencing depression. Dr. Thielking leads the Palliative Program's multidisciplinary team of mental health professionals specialized in palliative care and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.
"Our healthcare system struggles to support the millions of Americans dealing with emotional, spiritual and psychological suffering associated with chronic or serious illness," noted Dr. Thielking. "Psychedelic Palliative Care by Novamind is designed to address this need, bringing together fast-acting medicine, innovative treatment options and therapeutic expertise in a safe, nurturing environment."
To learn more about the Palliative Program, visit
www.novamind.ca/psychedelic-palliative-care
About Novamind
Novamind is a leading mental health company enabling safe access to psychedelic medicine through a network of clinics and clinical research sites. Novamind provides ketamine-assisted psychotherapy and other novel treatments through its network of Cedar Psychiatry clinics and operates Cedar Clinical Research, a contract research organization specialized in clinical trials and evidence-based research for psychedelic medicine. Both Cedar Psychiatry and Cedar Clinical Research are wholly owned subsidiaries of Novamind. For more information on how Novamind is enhancing mental wellness and guiding people through their entire healing journey, visit
novamind.ca.
Contact Information
Novamind
Yaron Conforti, CEO and Director
Telephone: +1 (647) 953 9512
Samantha DeLenardo, VP, Communications
Email:
media@novamind.ca
Bill Mitoulas, Investor Relations
Email:
bill@novamind.ca
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations including the risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements as expressly required by applicable laws.
SOURCE: Novamind Inc.
