Registration Options

Activity Dates: 10/07/2022 - 10/07/2025

Session Time and Location

The live session is complete.

Target Audience

If you are a pharmacist, nurse practitioner or other healthcare professional involved in the comprehensive medication management of psychiatric patients, we invite you to participate in this online course.

Session Summary

With the recent approval by the FDA of esketamine for the treatment of depression (Kim et al., 2019), there is renewed interest in and approval of studies examining other agents with hallucinogenic and psychedelic properties to treat psychiatric and substance use disorders. 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) was examined in a phase III clinical trial for post-traumatic stress disorder (Mitchell et al., 2021) and phase II study examining MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for anxiety (Wolfson et al., 2020). Psilocybin and lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) are being investigated in several phase II and phase I clinical trials. (Gasser et al.,2014 and Gasser et al., 2015). Psilocybin has recently been designated as a “breakthrough therapy” for treatment-resistant depression and major depressive disorder. (Bock 2020). Ayahuasca, which contains N,N-dimethyltryptamine (DMT) has been studied along with therapy for addiction. (Thomas, et al. 2013) and depression (Palhano-Fontes et al., 2019). Additionally, there are observational studies in México and New Zealand examining the use of ibogaine-assisted therapy in the treatment of opioid use disorder. (Noller et al., 2017 and Brown et al., 2018) 

Psychiatric disorders continue to be a major public health crisis with great economic burden by affecting about 350 million people worldwide. A significant number of people have failed many of the traditional medication management treatments or have treatment-resistant disorders. Psychedelic compounds share pharmacological overlap with both SSRIs and atypical antipsychotics through interaction with one or more 5-HT receptors or 5-HT transporters (presynaptic 5-HT1A receptors, postsynaptic 5-HT1A and 5-HT2A receptors).These compounds may provide novel treatment strategies for patients who cannot achieve remission of symptoms or have residual with currents agents or have significant side effects with current treatment options.

Course Requirements

To receive ACPE credit for this session, you must:

  • Sign in (or create a FREE account).
  • Register for this course.
  • Review the full content of the activity and reflect upon its teachings.
  • Complete the post-test at the end of the activity no later than the closing activity date.
  • Complete the evaluation at the end of the activity.
  • If necessary, complete the post-test retest no later than the closing activity date.
  • Receive a passing grade (70%).
  • Provide the necessary details in your profile to ensure correct reporting by AAPP to CPE Monitor.

Upon successful completion, ACPE credit is reported within 24 hours to CPE Monitor although transcripts can be retrieved by participants online in their ACPE Transcript.

Faculty Information

Frederick S. Barrett, PhD

View biographical information

Learning Objectives

  1. Assess patients who may benefit from psychedelic compounds to treat their psychiatric or substance use disorder.
  2. Implement best practices regarding treatment initiation and appropriate monitoring in persons with psychiatric or substance use disorders.
  3. Evaluate evidence supporting psychedelic therapy in persons with psychiatric and substance use disorders.

Continuing Education Credit and Disclosures

Activity Dates: 10/07/2022 - 10/07/2025
ACPE Contact Hours: 1.25
ACPE Number: 0284-0000-22-074-H01-P (Application)
Nursing Credit Reminder: Note that ACPE credit is accepted for ANCC Certification Renewal and AANPCB advanced practice provider content. For specific questions related to your organization's acceptance of ACPE continuing education units, please contact your organization directly.

ACPEThe College of Psychiatric and Neurologic Pharmacists is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education.

View AAPP's Privacy Policy

AAPP owns the copyright, is licensed or has received permissions for use of, or is otherwise permitted to use copyrighted materials within any CPE activity. Authors and speakers are required to obtain necessary copyright permissions for content in CPE activities. AAPP complies with copyright laws and regulations.

Questions? Contact AAPP.