The Victoria Association for Psychedelic Studies advocates for a shift in perspective
Photo via VAPS website
Despite decades of strict policies over drug possession and manufacturing in Canada, many people have gradually begun to re-evaluate drugs that were once deemed harmful. Just as marijuana underwent a renaissance of social acceptance, psychedelics are now garnering significant attention from the public for their potential cognitive and therapeutic benefits.
At UVic, a group of students channelled their collective interest in psychedelics into creating the Victoria Association for Psychedelic Studies (VAPS). Founded ten years ago by Danny Lucas, Adrian Ober, and Philippe Lucas — one of whom has since opened the first psychedelic clinic in Victoria — VAPS stands on three main pillars: “community, education, and advocacy around the … psychedelic space.”
Today, VAPS is led by Daniel Kopaee, a fourth-year psychology student who has been in various leadership roles with the club for several years.
Kopaee’s personal experiences with psychedelics have shaped his dedication to VAPS. “When I was 14, I took mushrooms with a friend,” he recalls. The transformative experience set him on the path to his current role as director of VAPS.
“Ever since that psychedelic experience, I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to this –– or at least a large part of my life.”
Kopaee describes the club’s current mission as “how to support people in altered states.” Alongside this objective, VAPS hosts many public events, guest lectures, discussion circles, and harm reduction workshops.
“I think we’ve raised a lot of awareness and created a lot of spaces for people to connect and receive support and education,” says Kopaee. Recently, VAPS has also engaged in more political action, participating in initiatives like Project Solace: a coalition of organizations in Canada advocating for legal access to psychedelic substances.
Despite the recently positive reception of psychedelics, Kopaee acknowledges the challenges and responsibilities that come with promoting such substances. However, he remains committed to extolling their responsible use and potential benefits.
“We don’t promote people irresponsibly using psychedelics,” he says. VAPS aims to provide a balanced perspective, advocating for both the therapeutic potential of psychedelics and the strong need for responsible use. “I’ve certainly taken risks. I think anyone involved in this space has taken reputational risks,” he says.
“Rats are receiving LSD at UVic as we speak. Heroin crack, meth, and MDMA have been decriminalized. We’re really in a time change.”
As psychedelics become more mainstream, Kopaee envisions a society where these substances are legally accessible and regulated, offering what he says could be significant benefits for mental health and personal growth.
“Psychedelics are being sold in stores and two mushroom dispensaries are opening in town. At the same time, it’s also becoming much more commercialized.”
When asked about psychedelics in relation to pharmaceuticals, Kopaee took a neutral stance.
“A few years ago, I was psychedelics versus pharmaceuticals. But I don’t quite view it through a lens that is dichotomous anymore; SSRIs are incredibly powerful tools.”
The work of VAPS contributes to a new era of psychedelics, marked by increasing interest in their numerous benefits. Despite psychedelics’ current legal gray area, Kopaee and the other members of VAPS are helping to pave the way for a future where psychedelics are understood, respected, and integrated into society.
