Psilocybin in Canada: Legal Status and Current Research

What Is Psilocybin?

Psilocybin is a naturally occurring psychedelic compound found in certain species of mushrooms. In Canada, psilocybin is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

This means it is not approved for therapeutic use, not available through routine clinical care, and remains illegal to sell or distribute outside of federally authorized research settings.

Psilocybin in Canada

• Psilocybin is a controlled substance.
• It cannot be prescribed or accessed through standard mental health services.
• Any legal activity involving psilocybin requires specific authorization from Health Canada, typically for research purposes only.
• It is not a treatment option currently offered at Field Trip Health or any standard clinic in Canada.

Current Research Landscape

Internationally, psilocybin is being studied in carefully regulated clinical research programs. These studies explore its potential role in mental health care under strict medical and ethical oversight.
Examples of areas under investigation in research settings include:

• Major depressive disorder
• Anxiety associated with
• life-threatening illnesses
  Substance use disorders
  
  

These are research studies, not approved clinical treatments, and participation is strictly regulated. Research results, while promising in some contexts, do not translate into available therapies in Canada at this time.

Legal Summary

• Psilocybin is classified as a controlled substance in Canada.
• It is not approved for sale or therapeutic use.
• It is not available through routine clinical pathways.
• Any legal use requires federal authorization, generally for research.

Learn More (External Resources)

• Health Canada – Controlled Substances
• Clinical Trials Database (Health Canada)
• MAPS – Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies