Switzerland has one of the most progressive frameworks for psychedelic therapy through the BAG
Psychiatrists can apply for exceptional permits to use LSD and psilocybin
The number of approved applications has grown significantly since 2020
Treatment occurs under strict medical supervision in clinical settings
Switzerland's model serves as a reference for other European countries
Switzerland's Unique Position
Switzerland occupies a distinctive place in the global psychedelic therapy landscape. Through the Bundesamt fuer Gesundheit (BAG) β the Federal Office of Public Health β qualified psychiatrists can obtain exceptional permits to use substances like LSD and psilocybin in therapeutic settings.
This framework predates the current psychedelic renaissance. Switzerland was one of the first countries to allow compassionate use of psychedelics, with permits issued as early as the 1990s under psychiatrist Peter Gasser.
The BAG Exceptional Permit System
How It Works
The BAG's compassionate use pathway allows licensed psychiatrists to apply for permits on a patient-by-patient basis:
Clinical justification β The psychiatrist must demonstrate that conventional treatments have been inadequate
Patient assessment β Comprehensive psychiatric evaluation including screening for contraindications
Application submission β Detailed treatment plan submitted to the BAG
Permit approval β BAG reviews and may grant an exceptional use permit
Supervised treatment β Therapy conducted under strict medical protocols
Outcome reporting β Psychiatrists must report treatment outcomes to the BAG
Substances Available
Under exceptional permits, the following substances have been approved for therapeutic use:
LSD (lysergic acid diethylamide) β Most commonly approved substance
Psilocybin β Increasingly requested for depression and end-of-life anxiety
MDMA β For PTSD cases, though less commonly approved
DMT/Ayahuasca β Rare but documented cases
Growth in Applications
The number of BAG permit applications has increased significantly:
2018: Approximately 30 active permits
2020: Over 60 active permits
2022: Over 100 active permits
2024-2025: Continued growth as awareness spreads
This growth reflects both increasing clinical evidence and growing patient demand. Explore related research on PsiHub.
Key Swiss Research Institutions
Switzerland hosts several leading psychedelic research centers:
University Hospital Basel β Led by Prof. Matthias Liechti, conducting clinical trials with LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA
University of Zurich β Neuroimaging studies on psychedelic mechanisms
Swiss Institute for Psychedelic Research β Coordinating clinical research efforts