How could evidence-based psychedelic therapies help address war-related mental health challenges in Ukraine, particularly PTSD among veterans? This was the main question of the European Parliament event held on 6 May, which Drugreporter captured on video in its entirety. Watch the full session now!

The event was Co-organised by PAREA, the MEP Action Group on Psychedelics in Healthcare, and the Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association (UPRA), and hosted by S&D MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis. You can watch it here:

The event agenda (You can click on the youtube chapters in the video):

• Introduction by Prof. David Nutt, Chair of Parea, psychiatrist, Imperial Collage London
• Opening remarks MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis – Group of the Progressive Alliance of Socialists and Democrats in the European Parliament
• Voices from veterans: Unmet needs and perspectives on innovative treatments Stanislav Hibadulin – Veteran
• Mental health burden of war in Ukraine: Prevalence, needs and system capacity MP Dmytro Gurin – Member of the Committee on Public Health, Medical Care and Health Insurance at the Verkhovna Rada/Ukrainian Parliament
• European policy and depression guidelines: Where are we heading Prof. Geert Dom – University of Antwerp; Past President, European Psychiatric Association
• MDMA-assisted therapy for PTSD: Beyond ecstasy Prof. Eric Vermetten – Leiden University Medical Center; Retired Colonel
• Clinical research with controlled substances in mental health Edem Adamanov – Director of the State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine Olena Semenchenko – Deputy Director for Registration and Audit, State Expert Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine
• Panel discussion and Q&A: Aligning Ukrainian developments with European clinical and regulatory frameworks Moderator: Tais Poda – Psychologist; Co-Founder, Ukrainian Psychedelic Research Association Panelists: Dmytro Gurin; Edem Adamanov; Prof. Geert Dom; Prof. Eric Vermetten
• Closing remarks MEP Vytenis Andriukaitis

We also uploaded the speech of veteran soldier Stanislav Hibadulin separately, in which he calls for psychedelics to help heal war trauma. You can watch it here:

Video: István Gábor Takács