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Implementing psychedelic-assisted therapy: History and characteristics of the Swiss limited medical use program

Summary

Switzerland operates a unique program allowing controlled use of psychedelics (LSD, psilocybin) and MDMA to help patients with serious mental health conditions that haven’t responded to standard treatments. Since 2014, about 100 doctors have treated 700+ patients with these substances as part of therapy sessions. The program requires careful patient screening, informed consent, and outcome reporting, with patients typically receiving 2-4 treatments over 12 months. Most patients showed significant improvement in their conditions, though some experienced side effects like nausea or headaches.

Background

Switzerland has a unique legal framework allowing limited medical use of controlled substances including psychedelics and MDMA. The Swiss program emerged from a rich history of psychedelic research and therapeutic use dating back to the 1960s-70s, with an earlier restricted program operating from 1988-1993.

Objective

To describe the characteristics, implementation, and outcomes of the Swiss limited access program for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) and MDMA-assisted therapy, providing information for stakeholders and regulators considering similar programs.

Results

In 2024, approximately 100 authorized physicians treated 723 patients with MDMA (245), LSD (130), or psilocybin (348), with approximately 1,660 treatment sessions conducted. Median illness severity ratings were high (6/7 on CGI scale), with median global improvement ratings of 1-2 indicating substantial improvement. Primary indications were depressive disorders, PTSD, and anxiety disorders.

Conclusion

The Swiss PAT program provides a pragmatic model for limited access to psychedelic-assisted therapy outside clinical trials. The framework allows access for patients with serious conditions when standard treatments fail, though comprehensive standardized outcome data collection remains needed to inform future policy and program development.
  • Published in:Neuroscience Applied,
  • Study Type:Program Description and Retrospective Analysis,
  • Source: PMID: 40800003, PMC: PMC12341733
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