COLUMBUS, Ohio (WCMH) — As more people experiment with psychedelic drugs, researchers say that without clear dosage guidelines, users can find themselves in dangerous or overwhelming situations.
Now, Ohio State is stepping up with a new training program to help first responders and health care workers handle those emergencies.
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The Ohio State University’s Center for Psychedelic Drug Research and Education (CPDRE) just received a $400,000 grant from the Ohio Department of Behavioral Health to launch the PEACE Program. It’s designed to help professionals support psychedelic users experiencing adverse reactions.
“Because they’re highly regulated and not easily accessible, they’re finding ways to get access to them and using them on their own,” CPDRE associate director Stacey Armstrong said.
According to researchers, growing media attention on the potential mental health benefits of psychedelics has fueled curiosity.
“As more people use them, especially in uncontrolled settings, it’s important that if and when they have challenges or difficulties that come up, that professionals are ready to help them with those difficulties, especially our medical first responders and other behavioral health care workers,” CPDRE director Dr. Alan Davis said.
The PEACE program is short for psychedelic education, acute and continuing care education. It will provide free, evidence-based training to more than 127,000 professionals in Ohio, giving them tools to respond safely in times of crisis with understanding and compassion.
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“If we can help our workforce understand how to show up in a supportive way, then we’re hoping that can lead to fewer challenges, problems or long-term consequences from the use of a psychedelic,” Armstrong said.
According to researchers, that kind of support can make all the difference.
“If they’re in a setting where they’re not receiving support, it could actually turn into a very challenging and potentially problematic situation for somebody,” Armstrong said.
The program is designed to reach as many of the allied health professionals in Ohio as possible.
“In each of those trainings, we’re going to dive into with national experts, how do you actually plan to interact with people?” Davis said. “How can you manage those cases when and if they come up?”
Ohio State researchers hope the PEACE program becomes a model for other states.
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“It’s important that we see that Ohio is leading the way in promoting and paying for this type of curriculum and wanting to make sure that we’re leading the pack in the United States ahead of the curve, to educate our workforce,” Davis said.
Davis said that under the right conditions, psychedelics can be safe and effective in helping people with various mental health conditions.
“But at a time where they’re not regulated and we don’t have FDA approval, we really need to make sure that we’re making, that people are equipped with the information they need to do that safely, and if they have problems, they know there’s people they can turn to for help,” Davis said.
In-person seminars will be held in January, March, and July of 2026. Free online modules will also become available for all healthcare professionals in the state by next summer.
CPDRE has developed an online certificate program for anybody interested in learning more about psychedelics. For more information, visit this link.
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