MAPS Canada November 2026 Newsletter: Pain & Psychedelics
Monthly Newsletter
NOVEMBER 2026
💻 Webinar: Nov 16 ·🎞️ Film Screening: Nov 26 (Toronto) · 🎃 October Recap · 🧪 News & Research Highlights · And More!
Hi John,
THIS MONTH
❤️🩹 November is Pain & Psychedelics month at MAPS Canada
This month, MAPS Canada explores psychedelic-assisted therapy and its use for pain management.
Through research presentations and articles, and conversations with clinicians, patients, and researchers, we’ll explore how psychedelics may influence pain processing, the potential role of neuroplasticity, and what current evidence tells us about new approaches to chronic pain.
While research is still emerging, these conversations invite us to look beyond conventional models of care and consider holistic, biopsychosocial approaches to pain management.
On November 16th, Lynn Watkins, Gordon Hurley, Court Wing and moderator Jagpaul Kaur join us for a webinar: After the Battlefield: Veterans, Chronic Pain & Psychedelic Medicines. See more below.
On November 26th, join us in Toronto for a special screening of ALLGOOD. Steve Allgood has joined MAPS Canada for a webinar episode and podcast, and we are proud to support this short documentary about his terminal brain cancer diagnosis. See more below.
We’d also like to thank everyone who came to the Prophet of Ecstasy screening at the Rio Theatre and visited us at the Spirit Plant Medicine Conference last month. It was great to connect with so many of you in person. See more below (including promo code for SPMC 2027)!
Also in this newsletter: Check out our content from last month’s focus on Aging & Psychedelics in case you missed it, plus two new Psychedelic Research Snapshots, research recruiting, and the latest news and research highlights from across the field.
See more below!
Support our mission to expand safe, legal, and equitable access to psychedelics
WEBINAR
NOVEMBER 16TH, 4 PM PT / 6 PM ET
💻 After the Battlefield: Veterans, Chronic Pain, and Psychedelic Medicines
Veterans experience high rates of chronic pain and PTSD, and these conditions often overlap in ways that complicate treatment and recovery. Many continue to live with persistent pain and unmet healthcare needs after trying conventional therapies.
So where do psychedelic-assisted therapies fit, and what stands between veterans and the care they need?
Join us for a panel discussion on chronic pain and trauma in veterans, with a focus on the emerging role of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Our panelists will look at current treatment approaches and the potential benefits and limitations of psychedelics. They’ll also discuss where Veterans Affairs coverage and existing services fall short, and what could improve access for veterans living with complex, overlapping conditions.
PANELISTS
Lynn Watkins, Lt Col (Retired), USAF, Retired JAG Officer, VITAL Train Psychedelic Facilitator, Ketamine Taskforce, Secretary for Healing Our Heroes
Gordon Hurley, Retired Canadian Special Operations Forces Veteran, Founder of All The Way, Board Member of Project Life Spark
Court Wing, Founder and CEO of REMAP Therapeutics, Co-founder and President of the Psychedelics & Pain Association
MODERATOR
Jagpaul Deol, PharmD/PhD(c), RPh, Clinical Pharmacist and Psychedelic Medicine Researcher, Board Member of MAPS Canada
Various pricing options available, including by donation
FILM SCREENING
NOVEMBER 26TH, 6-8 PM ET, TORONTO, ON
🎞️ ALLGOOD
What does it mean to care for someone facing a terminal diagnosis—not only physically, but psychologically and existentially?
Join us November 26 at Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema in Toronto for a special screening of ALLGOOD, followed by a live conversation with Steve “Buck” Allgood, members of his care team, and special guests.
The film follows a young father confronting terminal brain cancer, depression, and the fear of dying—and how psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy helped change his relationship with mortality.
Thursday, November 26th, 6 to 8 PM
Hot Docs Ted Rogers Cinema, Toronto, ON
Pay-what-you-can tickets available
OCTOBER RECAP
Vancouver Events
🎃 Thank you, Vancouver!
October was a big month for us in Vancouver. Here are a few moments from the Prophet of Ecstasy screening and the Spirit Plant Medicine Conference.
Thank you to everyone who packed the Rio Theatre on October 26th! A huge thanks to our panelists Rick Doblin, Paul Stamets, Dr. Pam Kryskow and Peter van der Heyden, and to Lori Braun for moderating and making such a great film, be sure to check it out on CBC Gem!
We’re also very grateful to our sponsors, Qi Integrated and Gathering Groups, for making the evening possible.
Another big thank you to everyone who stopped by to see us at SPMC from October 23rd to 25th! It was great to meet so many wonderful people and give away so many books by donation! The conference returns in 2027, and MAPS Canada community members can save on passes with the code below.
Save 50% on SPMC2027 passes with code:
SPMC2027
Valid for a limited time only
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT
Here are some highlights from last month’s focus on
Aging & Psychedelics
Listen and Watch Now
🎙️ Podcast: The Relational Nature of Psychedelics: Indigenous Knowledge & Healing with Dr. Keith Williams hosted by Matt Hamel
🔬 The Research Room: Psychedelics and Longevity with Mark Haden
WEBINAR RECORDING
Also From October
💻 Webinar: What Canada’s New Controlled Substances Regulations Mean for Psychedelic Access hosted by Dr. Rielle Capler with Jagpaul Deol, Harrison Jordan, and Dr. Houman Farzin
KNOWLEDGE TRANSLATION
New Psychedelic Research Snapshots
Check out all our Psychedelic Research Snapshot and Psychedelic Safety infographics!
NEWS & RESEARCH HIGHLIGHTS
Ontario Regulator Clarifies Social Workers' Role in Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy
Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers
Canadian Researchers Reveal How LSD Reorganizes Brain Activity
Université de Montréal / Communications Biology
$2 Million Investment Expands Psychedelic Research at St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
St. Joseph's Healthcare Hamilton
RESEARCH RECRUITING
ONLINE STUDY
Looking for “Higher Consciousness” in Psilocybin Users
Researchers are recruiting experienced psilocybin users aged 19 and older for an online study on visual processing and cognition. Visual illusions like the hollow mask fool the brain by exploiting the shortcuts our visual system takes, and the team predicts that people under the effects of psilocybin may perceive some of these illusions more accurately. Participants are asked to consider completing the study’s surveys and tests while under the effects of their own psilocybin, following their usual use. The researchers do not provide psilocybin, and any use is at the participant’s own discretion and risk.
MANITOBA STUDY
Building Capacity and Healing: A First Nations-Led Study of Education for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy
The First Nations Health and Social Secretariat of Manitoba is recruiting 40 adults with a connection to an Indigenous community, including community members and practioners who work in mental health or community wellness with Indigenous people. Participants are randomly assigned to an in-person, land-based program with Knowledge Keepers and Elders, or to a standard online course held over two weekends. No psychedelic medicine is given as part of the study.
MORE FROM MAPS CANADA
Psychedelic Access Community of Practice
Discussion, support, and networking for professionals navigating legal access
📅 Bi-monthly meetings—Next meeting Nov 30, 2026 4pm PT/6pm ET
Learn more and Apply to join the Psychedelic Access Community of Practice
Psychedelic Research Community of Practice
Discussion, support, and networking for psychedelics researchers
📅 Bi-monthly meetings—Next meeting Dec 7, 2026 4pm PT/6pm ET
Learn more and Apply to join the Clinical Research Community of Practice
Shop to support
Every purchase helps support the expansion of safe, legal and equitable access to psychedelics in Canada. Free shipping on orders over $100!
Join the Movement
Almost entirely run by volunteers, MAPS Canada is always looking for expertise from our community to help expand safe, legal and equitable access to psychedelics in Canada.
School of Psychedelics
Programs for everyone from clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and anyone interested in learning more about psychedelics. Scholarships available!
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