DELIX IA EDUCACIONAL

PSICODELIX Brazil–Switzerland Initiative

Mental Health, Addiction Recovery, Integrative Psychotherapy and International Research Collaboration

A Brazilian Platform for Community-Based, Longitudinal and Translational Research

Project Lead: Bernardo de Araujo e Souza
Organization: PSICODELIX Saúde Mental e Espiritual Ltda.
Country: Brazil
Contact: falecom@psicodelix.com
Website: www.psicodelix.com.br
Phone number: +5531994455055

THE INITIATIVE

The PSICODELIX Brazil–Switzerland Initiative is a proposal for scientific, clinical, educational and institutional collaboration focused on mental health, addiction recovery, integrative psychotherapy and the responsible development of psychedelic research.

The initiative seeks to connect Swiss expertise in psychiatry, neuroscience, psychopharmacology, psychotherapy and psychedelic science with Brazilian experience in addiction recovery, community-based mental healthcare, therapeutic communities, psychosocial support and longitudinal follow-up.

Its first stage is designed around non-interventional research, professional training, outcome assessment and international scientific cooperation. Any future interventional study involving psychedelic substances would require independent scientific review and full ethical, medical and regulatory authorization.

THE BRAZILIAN CONTEXT

Brazil faces a substantial burden related to alcohol and other substance use disorders, depression, anxiety, trauma, social vulnerability and relapse after treatment.

Many individuals receive support in therapeutic communities, psychosocial services, faith-based recovery initiatives and community organizations. However, outcomes are often insufficiently documented through standardized, longitudinal and scientifically validated methods.

This creates an opportunity to develop research capable of examining recovery in real-world settings while respecting the dignity, autonomy, safety and cultural background of participants.

OUR PROPOSAL

We propose the development of a Brazilian Observatory for Mental Health and Addiction Recovery, supported by academic and institutional collaboration between Brazil and Switzerland.

The Observatory would initially conduct longitudinal, non-interventional research involving adults receiving care through participating Brazilian therapeutic communities and mental health organizations.

Potential areas of investigation include:

  • substance use patterns and relapse;
  • craving and treatment adherence;
  • depression, anxiety and psychological distress;
  • quality of life and psychosocial functioning;
  • emotional regulation and psychological flexibility;
  • cognitive and neuropsychological functioning;
  • sleep, routines and health-related behaviors;
  • family and social reintegration;
  • spirituality, meaning in life and recovery;
  • preparation and integration practices;
  • digital monitoring and long-term follow-up.

The final research design, assessment instruments and governance model would be developed with qualified academic partners and submitted to the appropriate ethics and regulatory authorities.

WHAT BRAZIL CAN CONTRIBUTE

The Brazilian platform may provide:

  • access to real-world community mental health settings;

  • partnerships with therapeutic communities and recovery organizations;

  • experience in addiction recovery and psychosocial support;

  • culturally diverse populations that remain underrepresented in international research;

  • local coordination and participant follow-up;

  • collection of longitudinal clinical and psychosocial data;

  • digital tools for structured monitoring;

  • qualitative research on recovery, identity, spirituality and meaning;

  • opportunities for professional training and knowledge exchange;

  • infrastructure for future multicenter and cross-cultural studies.

Brazil would not be presented merely as a recruitment location, but as an active scientific partner contributing clinical experience, community knowledge, implementation capacity and culturally relevant research questions.

WHAT WE SEEK FROM SWISS PARTNERS

We are seeking collaboration in:

  • scientific and methodological guidance;

  • study design and protocol development;

  • selection and validation of outcome measures;

  • ethics, safety and research governance;

  • psychopharmacology and neuroscience;

  • neuropsychological assessment;

  • statistical analysis and data management;

  • professional education and supervision;

  • cross-cultural research;

  • joint publications and scientific presentations;

  • development of multicenter research proposals;

  • identification of appropriate funding pathways.

Different institutions may participate according to their specific expertise, without requiring every partner to engage in all components of the initiative.

PROPOSED FIRST PROJECT

Longitudinal Observational Study of Mental Health and Addiction Recovery Outcomes in Brazilian Therapeutic Communities

The proposed pilot would follow adult participants from admission through treatment and, whenever feasible, after discharge.

Potential assessment points include:

  • baseline or admission;
  • 30 days;
  • 60 days;
  • 90 days;
  • discharge;
  • three-month follow-up;
  • six-month follow-up;
  • twelve-month follow-up.

The study would initially involve no experimental drug administration.

Its purpose would be to establish feasibility, characterize the population, identify predictors of adherence and relapse, assess recovery-related outcomes and create a reliable foundation for subsequent collaborative research.

LONG-TERM VISION

The long-term objective is to establish a sustainable Brazil–Switzerland platform capable of supporting:

  • longitudinal mental health research;
  • addiction recovery studies;
  • professional training;
  • digital health innovation;
  • cross-cultural research;
  • psychotherapy development;
  • research on preparation and integration;
  • multicenter clinical studies;
  • responsibly designed psychedelic research, where legally and ethically authorized;
  • collaborative scientific publications;
  • an international reference center for mental health and addiction recovery in Brazil.

INVITATION TO COLLABORATE

We would welcome an introductory meeting to present the Brazilian context, discuss areas of scientific convergence and evaluate the feasibility of a pilot collaboration.

Our immediate goal is not to request a commitment to a clinical trial. It is to establish a responsible dialogue, obtain scientific guidance and identify a realistic first project that can be developed jointly.

Bernardo de Araujo e Souza
Project Lead — PSICODELIX Brazil–Switzerland Initiative
PSICODELIX Saúde Mental e Espiritual Ltda.
Brazil
falecom@psicodelix.com
www.psicodelix.com.br