Psychedelic‑Assisted Therapies: Emerging Evidence, Ethical Challenges, and Future Directions

October 14, 2026

Psychedelic-assisted therapies are gaining increased attention for their potential role in treating psychiatric and substance use disorders. This session provides an overview of studied psychedelic compounds and their proposed mechanisms of action. Participants will review current research findings, therapeutic models, and safety considerations, as well as the significant regulatory, ethical, and cultural issues surrounding these treatments. The presentation emphasizes maintaining professional standards while navigating emerging evidence and heightened public interest.

Target Audience

This knowledge-based course is intended for Pharmacists (ACPE), Pharmacist Technicians (ACPE), Physicians (ACCME), Physician Assistants (ACCME), Nurse Practitioners (ABN), Nurses (ABN), Dentists (AL board approval), and Social Workers (ABSWE).

Learning Objectives

At the conclusion of this session, participants will be able to:
1. Describe the proposed mechanisms of action and therapeutic models associated with psychedelic-assisted therapies.
2. Summarize current evidence regarding potential benefits and limitations in psychiatric and substance use treatment.
3. Identify key safety concerns, ethical issues, and patient selection considerations.
4. Discuss the current regulatory landscape and future implications for clinical practice.

Course summary

Available credit: 
  • 1.20 ABN
    Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy is a board-approved provider of continuing nursing education in Alabama by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Provider Number: ABNP1515
  • 1.00 ABSWE
  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    Auburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide.
  • 1.00 ACPE Technician
    Auburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide.
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 BDEA
  • 1.00 Participation
Course opens: 
03/16/2026
Course expires: 
03/16/2029
Event starts: 
10/14/2026 - 12:00pm CDT
Event ends: 
10/14/2026 - 1:00pm CDT
Cost:
$0.00
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Live Webinar
United States

Participants will be provided the webinar link once enrolled in the course by accessing the course content under 'Take Course' - Course Instructions and Course Material. Please use this link to join the live webinar at the scheduled time. All registered participants will also receive an email the day before the program with program information, including the webinar link. 

Dr. Garrett Aikens is the Chief of Pharmacy at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center. He graduated from Auburn University’s Harrison College of Pharmacy in 2011 and completed a PGY1 Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Montana and Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana. After completing his residency, Dr. Aikens joined the Central Alabama VA Health System as a Clinical Pharmacist Specialist in Primary Care for four years before helping create the VA Southeast Network's Academic Detailing Program, providing services to multiple facilities throughout Alabama and Georgia to improve the use of evidence-based medicine and improve patient outcomes. In addition to his clinical practice within the VA, Dr. Aikens practiced part-time in community pharmacy at the Fairfax Drug Company in Valley, AL. In 2017, Dr. Aikens transitioned to the Associate Chief of Pharmacy, Clinical Services at the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center before taking on the role of Chief of Pharmacy. He serves on the Tuscaloosa VA Medical Center Pharmacy and Therapeutics Committee and the VA Southeast Network Pharmacy Benefits Management Service. Starting in 2026, Dr. Aikens began assisting with the PIVOT study, a VA-funded psychedelic-assisted therapy study that is evaluating the safety, tolerability, and effectiveness of psilocybin-assisted therapy for veterans with treatment-resistant depression with or without post-traumatic stress disorder.

 

Auburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide. The Universal Activity Number for this knowledge-based program is 0001-9999-26-009-L04-P/T and is intended for Pharmacists (ACPE), Pharmacist Technicians (ACPE), Physicians (ACCME), Physician Assistants (ACCME), Nurse Practitioners (ABN), Nurses (ABN), Dentists (AL board approval), and Social Workers (ABSWE).  The initial release date for this home-study program is March 16, 2026 and the intended expiration date is March 16, 2029.

ABN - Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy is a Board-approved provider of continuing nursing education in Alabama by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Provider Number: ABNP1515.

ABSWE - Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy is a Board-approved provider of continuing education for social workers by the Alabama Board of Social Work Examiners. Provider Number: 0643.

ACCME - The Huntsville Hospital designates this live activity for a maximum of 1.0 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)TM. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Medical Association of the State of Alabama through the joint providership of the Huntsville Hospital and Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy. The Huntsville Hospital is accredited by the Medical Association of the State of Alabama to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Disclosures: No commercial support is received for this program. Dr. Garrett Aikens and others in control of the content have no actual or potential conflict of interest related to this program. No individuals in a position to control content for this activity have any relevant financial relationships to declare.

 

Available Credit

  • 1.20 ABN
    Auburn University Harrison College of Pharmacy is a board-approved provider of continuing nursing education in Alabama by the Alabama Board of Nursing. Provider Number: ABNP1515
  • 1.00 ABSWE
  • 1.00 ACPE Pharmacy
    Auburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide.
  • 1.00 ACPE Technician
    Auburn University is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing pharmacy education; credits are recognized nationwide.
  • 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit™
  • 1.00 BDEA
  • 1.00 Participation

Price

Cost:
$0.00
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Please click the navy blue TAKE COURSE button. This will automatically enroll you in the program and provide access to the course content, including COURSE INSTRUCTIONS, COURSE MATERIALS, and completion requirements to claim credit.