Colorado Natural Medicine Advisory Board - Stakeholder Feedback
RE: Stakeholder Comments
To whom it may concern,
In section 3.2, Required Education and Training For Facilitator and Clinical Facilitator under the subtitle, Drug Effects, Contraindications, and Interactions, we propose an additional education requirement for facilitators working with females of reproductive age:
awareness of the menstrual cycle, related conditions, and natural medicines
There is early-stage research suggesting that menstrual cycle phase, and certain menstrual conditions may interact with natural medicines. While this research is still in progress, there is a history of indigenous knowledge on the topic - sometimes referred to as Moon Wisdom.
At this time, the menstrual cycle is rarely discussed in psychedelic research, but that is not indicative of its importance. There is a large body of literature on the serotonin system and the menstrual cycle, which provides a scientific basis for varying indigenous customs related to this topic.
Identifying and analyzing variables in clinical research that may affect females differently from males - in this case, timing of dose - is required by law in the NIH Revitalization Act of 1993.
While clinical research on natural medicines is still in its infancy, we propose an education requirement that addresses what is known at this time, with the expectation that clinical research will continue to evolve in this area.
We believe that this education addition will reduce harm for females of reproductive age who are seeking natural medicines. We also believe that this addition will protect facilitators who are working with females of reproductive age.
We propose that the addition is separate and distinct from the other requirements in this section, because of the lack of menstrual cycle awareness in the current research, generally speaking.
Information on disparities in research can be referenced in Hystelica’s Open Letter to MAPS.
We are happy to provide more information on this topic, including both academic and independent research projects that are currently in progress.
Best Regards,
Tina A. Williams
Director, Dysphoric Project
Hailey Llewellyn
Director, Dysphoric Project
