DELIX EDUCATIONAL

Ethics and Professional Principles

Ethics and Professional Principles

Human dignity, transparency, participant protection and responsible professional practice.

PSICODELIX is committed to ethical, transparent and culturally sensitive practices in mental health education, addiction recovery, psychotherapy, professional development and international research collaboration.

These principles guide institutional communication, project development, professional relationships and any future research activity involving participants or partner organizations.

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Human Dignity

Every person should be treated with respect, compassion and recognition of their history, values, culture and autonomy. People affected by addiction, psychological distress or social vulnerability should not be reduced to diagnoses, behaviors or past experiences. PSICODELIX supports respectful and non-stigmatizing communication.

Autonomy and Informed Consent

Individuals must receive clear and understandable information before participating in professional, educational or research-related activities. Consent should be voluntary and free from coercion or undue influence. Participants should understand the purpose, limits, potential risks, procedures, confidentiality conditions and right to withdraw when applicable.

Transparency Regarding Qualifications

Professional titles, education, experience and institutional roles should be described accurately. Continuing education should not be presented as a university degree, medical specialization or professional license. Bernardo does not present himself as a physician, psychiatrist or psychologist and does not claim prescribing authority or independent authorization to conduct clinical trials involving controlled substances.

Recognition of Professional Limits

Responsible practice requires recognition of the limits of each professional role. Mental health conditions may require medical, psychiatric, psychological, social or emergency care. PSICODELIX supports interdisciplinary collaboration and referral to qualified professionals whenever necessary.

  • ✦ Medical referral when required
  • ✦ Psychiatric evaluation when indicated
  • ✦ Emergency services in urgent situations
  • ✦ Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • ✦ Clear professional boundaries
  • ✦ Accurate communication of limitations

Protection of Vulnerable Populations

Special care must be given to individuals affected by addiction, severe psychological distress, cognitive impairment or social vulnerability. Projects involving vulnerable populations must minimize risk, avoid coercion and include appropriate safeguards. Participation in a therapeutic community or recovery program should never be treated as automatic consent for research.

Confidentiality and Data Protection

Personal, clinical and research-related information should be handled with confidentiality and appropriate security. Any future research project should establish procedures for storage, access, anonymization, retention and responsible use.

  • ✦ Confidential handling of information
  • ✦ Restricted access to sensitive data
  • ✦ Secure storage and data minimization
  • ✦ Anonymization when appropriate
  • ✦ Transparent privacy practices
  • ✦ Compliance with applicable laws

Scientific Integrity

Scientific communication should distinguish between established evidence, preliminary findings, hypotheses, professional observations and personal experience. PSICODELIX does not support exaggerated claims, selective use of evidence, fabricated data or promises unsupported by research. Limitations, uncertainties and potential conflicts of interest should be communicated transparently.

Responsible Psychedelic Communication

Psychedelic substances should not be presented as universal, standalone or guaranteed treatments. PSICODELIX does not encourage self-medication or the unauthorized use of controlled substances. Any interventional activity involving psychedelic substances would require qualified medical and academic leadership, screening, ethical approval, regulatory authorization, suitable infrastructure and participant protection.

Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy

Harm Reduction

Harm reduction seeks to reduce preventable risks through accurate information, professional support, early identification of vulnerabilities and responsible referral. It does not mean promoting substance use or replacing legal, medical and ethical requirements.

Cultural and Religious Sensitivity

Mental health, recovery, spirituality and healing may be understood differently across cultures and communities. Professional practice should respect personal beliefs without imposing religious, spiritual or philosophical interpretations. Spiritual resources may be considered when requested, but should not replace medical, psychiatric or psychological care.

Ethical Research Governance

Any future research involving human participants must be developed with qualified institutional partners, including an appropriate protocol, ethical review, informed consent, data-protection procedures, risk management and transparent governance. No project should be presented as approved before receiving formal authorization.

Responsible Communication

Public communication should be accurate, cautious and understandable. PSICODELIX avoids promises of cure, guaranteed transformation and language that exploits fear or vulnerability. Educational content should not replace individualized professional assessment.

  • ✦ No promises of cure or guaranteed outcomes
  • ✦ No misleading credentials or concealed risks
  • ✦ No stigmatizing language or unauthorized medical claims
  • ✦ Clear distinction between education and treatment

Ethics in International Collaboration

International partnerships should be balanced, transparent and respectful. Brazilian professionals, institutions and communities should be recognized as active contributors to study design, implementation, interpretation, authorship and dissemination. Populations should not be treated merely as sources of data or participant recruitment.

Brazil–Switzerland Initiative

Core Ethical Commitments

  • ✦ Human dignity
  • ✦ Participant autonomy
  • ✦ Informed consent
  • ✦ Confidentiality
  • ✦ Scientific integrity
  • ✦ Transparency of qualifications
  • ✦ Protection of vulnerable populations
  • ✦ Cultural sensitivity and religious freedom
  • ✦ Harm reduction
  • ✦ Professional boundaries
  • ✦ Interdisciplinary collaboration
  • ✦ Ethical review and regulatory compliance
  • ✦ Responsible communication
  • ✦ Long-term participant welfare

Responsible Institutional Collaboration

PSICODELIX welcomes dialogue with universities, hospitals, research groups, foundations and professional organizations committed to ethical mental health, addiction recovery, psychotherapy and responsible scientific research.

Contact for Institutional Collaboration