Psychedelic medicine in animals
Scientific, up-to-date, and practical veterinary medical input for the emerging psychedelic research, medical, and legislative ecosystems.
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Increased interest in and access to psychedelic substances by human users increases the risk and frequency of exposures in animals.
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Whether these exposures are intentional (research or therapeutic) or accidental, veterinary medicine practitioners must be aware of the potential for and prepared to respond to these exposures in our patients.
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The veterinary cannabis industry saw similar rises in animal exposures as human interest and access to cannabis increased. Harm reduction principles developed to safeguard animals from accidental overdoses and guide effective research in the veterinary cannabis industry are applicable to the growing psychedelic industry.
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Do you know of an animal exposed to a psychedelic substance? Complete the exposure survey HERE.
Increased risk of exposure
Behavioral conditions are not exclusive to humans
Animal emotional disorders are on the rise in parallel to humans, negatively impacting the entire family-unit.
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Behavioral conditions pose a risk to the animal safety, wellbeing, and quality of life.
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Behavioral disorders affect social bonding with the human members of a family unit, and prevent safe handling for medical care.
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Estimates place the number of dogs within the U.S. that suffer from anxiety and/or fear disorders close to 23 million. Companion animals as well as animals with a primary utilitarian function are frequently euthanized due to behavioral conditions​.
Veterinary medicine is in need of novel medical solutions to combat the behavioral conditions affecting the health and wellbeing of veterinary patients. Do psychedelics offer hope for animal patients?
Animal-awareness for an emerging industry
The health of humans, animals, plants and their shared environment are interdependent. Animals live in close proximity to humans, serve essential roles in human lives, are dependent on humans for their care, and are utilized in the investigation of human therapeutic solutions.
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Legislation, practice protocols, and safety parameters established around the use of psychedelic substances in humans will have both direct and indirect impacts on animal populations.
Animal-aware legislation, practice policies that account for animal-patients, and a translational medicine mindset for research ensures that the emerging psychedelic industry is able to sustain a global and holistic state of health.
Animal Exposure Survey