Therapsil recently launched a clinical trial in Canada exploring how psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy can improve overall wellbeing. 

This initiative is unique for several reasons. In part because it does not target a particular disease state. Also, unlike typical industry-sponsored trials, this trial is “stakeholder-funded”, meaning that participants must pay to participate. Join us on Dec 17th to learn more about this innovative trial, the motivations behind it, and the scientific and ethical considerations that it evokes.

Learning Objectives:

1. Describe the goals and design of Therapsil’s new psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy clinical trial.
2. Differentiate stakeholder-funded clinical research from traditional industry-sponsored trials.
3. Assess the potential benefits and challenges associated with stakeholder-funded models in psychedelic research.
4. Understand the motivations behind launching a wellbeing-focused psychedelic trial at this time.
5. Identify key scientific considerations, including study methodology, safety protocols, and outcome measures.
6. Discuss the ethical questions raised by charging participants to join a clinical trial.
7. Evaluate how this model could shape the future of psychedelic research and access pathways in Canada.

Panelists:
Kamaya Lawrence

Kamaya is a clinical research professional at the forefront of innovative and inclusive psychedelic science. With a background in neuroscience and a passion for bridging the gap between community health and research, Kamaya brings both academic rigor and heart-centered vision to her work. As Clinical Research Director at Hippo, she leads design and operations of clinical trials, including PsilWell, the world’s first patient-funded psychedelic clinical trial. As a research professional deeply committed to accessibility, Kamaya is passionate about empowering patient-funded studies that prioritize equity, participation, and meaningful care.

Spencer Hawkswell

Spencer Hawkswell is the President and CEO of TheraPsil, a Canadian non-profit that trains healthcare professionals and advocates for medical psilocybin regulations. He is also the founder of Hippo Science, a clinical research organization advancing patient-driven access to psychedelic therapies. Since 2019, Spencer has led national efforts to secure compassionate access to psilocybin and MDMA and has helped establish TheraPsil as a leader in psychedelic therapist training and clinical protocol development.

Through work at TheraPsil and Hippo Science, Spencer is developing a stakeholder-funded research model to generate high-quality clinical evidence across multiple indications for psilocybin, MDMA, and other psychedelic medicines. His focus is on creating ethical, accessible, and evidence-based pathways for regulatory approval and patient care.

Hosts:
Sonia Brodie

Sonia is a long-standing clinical research enthusiast with a wealth of experience in operationalizing pharmaceutical and medical device trials, balancing scientific rigor with a strong understanding of the unique considerations for psychedelic research. Her technical experience spans from protocol development, to regulatory applications, efficient study start-up processes, clinical trial management, establishing quality management systems and standard operating procedures, data analysis, and knowledge translation across a wide range of study types and interventions. She has consulted and advised on a variety of psychedelic research initiatives, including the world’s largest microdosing study, and established a clinical trials site for psychedelic research, which has consistently performed as the top enrolling site in Canada for several global Phase II and III randomized controlled trials. As Director of Growth and Partnerships with CaRe Clinics, her focus is on building and nurturing collaborative relationships with industry sponsors, CROs, healthcare providers, and policy makers to help bring more clinical trials to Canada. She is also on the board of directors for MAPS Canada.

Rielle Capler
Rielle has Masters in Health Administration and earned a PhD in Interdisciplinary Studies at the University of British Columbia, focused on access to medical cannabis under different regulatory frameworks in Canada. She has been engaged in cannabis and psychedelics-related research for over 20 years, and has published various research articles and book chapters. Rielle held a postdoctoral research fellowship at the B.C. Centre on Substance Use and is an Adjunct Professor in the School of Population and Public Health, in the Faculty of Medicine at the University of British Columbia. Rielle was on the board of directors for MAPS Canada for 3 years, and is currently the Executive Director .