I am delighted to share some big news: although the Institute for Substance-Assisted Therapy has actually been around for twenty years, it now has a completely new organizational structure.

Psychedelic substances have long been used in shamanic contexts, and not only in South America. From the 1940s onwards, Western researchers also became aware of their immense therapeutic potential – until the prohibition of “narcotics” abruptly put a stop to both therapeutic practice and scientific research. And this despite the fact that the substances in question are pretty much the exact opposite of narcotics. Research has been back on track for several years now, and just a few weeks ago, selected institutions were officially allowed to use psilocybin under the label of “compassionate use.”

But what does this entail? Is the setting that has developed from scientific studies, primarily in a clinical context, the only conceivable one? It is telling that when the EPIsoDE study was presented in Mannheim in September 2024, the therapists involved unanimously answered the question of in which direction they wanted to develop their own skills in the future with: bodywork.

If different settings are conceivable, then perhaps different types of training are needed as well. This will be particularly the case if the current legal provisions are relaxed again in the future. The IST has set itself the goal of developing therapeutic methods and training therapists.

And even though scientific research is now being conducted intensively again, there has been a lack of intensive professional exchange between practitioners in this field for a long time. What does it take to carry out really good substance-assisted therapies?

IST wants to facilitate this professional exchange, with a clear focus on the practice of therapeutic activity. An initial symposium on May 9 and 10, 2026, in South Germany will provide a forum for this: Therapist or Sitter — A conference on the role of support in Substance-Assisted Therapy. The conference will be held in English.