Psychedelics for Frontline Clinicians with COVID Burnout? New study seeks answers

By Javier Hasse

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected most people. However, the workers on the front lines were most exposed to the gravity of such a dire situation and therefore most affected by it.

According to The Lancet’s EclinicalMedicine, 61% of healthcare workers reported “fear of exposure or transmission, 38% of anxiety / depression, 43% of overwork and 49% of burnout”. The numbers come from a survey conducted between May 28 and October 1, 2020 of 20,947 healthcare workers from 42 organizations.

Photo by Vladimir Fedoto via Unsplash

To improve the situation for frontline clinicians, psychedelics-focused biotech company Cybin and the University of Washington are jointly sponsoring a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial of psilocybin psychedelic psychotherapy for frontline clinicians suffering from COVID-related conditions .

The main objective of the study is to evaluate the effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy in treating symptoms of depression, anxiety, burnout, and post-traumatic stress among frontline doctors, nurses, and health care professionals.

The exam

Dr. Anthony Back-led trial is taking place in Seattle, Washington, a city that was severely affected by COVID-19 in its early days.

To support the initiative, Cybin and his scientists Alex Belser, Ph.D. and Bill Brennan, Ph.D. Candidate developed EMBARK, a “transdiagnostic psychotherapy model that can be adapted to a range of clinical indications and populations”.

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“EMBARK is a breakthrough model of psychotherapy that integrates leading clinical approaches to promote supportive healing with psychedelic medicine,” said management.

To the study, Dr. Anthony Back added: “There is tremendous potential in a collaboration between the University of Washington and Cybin, and this project is an incredibly valuable first step towards a productive future.”

“Our nation’s doctors, nurses, and clinicians have carried the burden of COVID-19 by caring for the sickest among us. You experience high levels of anxiety, depression, and burnout. Now it’s our turn to help them, ”concluded Dr. Alex Belser, Cybin’s Chief Clinical Officer. “We’re sponsoring research to see if psychedelic medicine, combined with supportive therapy from EMBARK, can help clinicians recover from COVID-related stress.”

This article was published on Benzinga and reposted with permission.