DENVER (KDVR) — Psychedelic medicine is an emerging health field, with many clinicians eyeing the use of psychedelic compounds to treat psychiatric illnesses. To that end, Denver Health has developed a “novel framework for monitoring the health impact of psychedelic medication use.”

The framework concept, developed by Denver Health’s Rocky Mountain Poison & Drug Safety office, was also published in Nature Mental Health, a monthly, online journal that publishes peer-reviewed research.

The framework was developed because of a recent new drug application filed with the Food and Drug Administration for approval of MDMA to treat PTSD. Additionally, Colorado has decriminalized psychedelics like psilocybin mushrooms and has released details on how “healing centers” would be operated , allowing people to use, learn about and distribute natural medicine like mushrooms.

The safety office’s scientists say that use and access are likely to expand because of the FDA request. However, traditional medication monitoring frameworks don’t account for “psychedelics’ unique traits.”

Because of this, the system was designed to monitor “appropriate, equitable access” for patients and inform reasonable limitations to improve patient safety.

The framework specifically stresses a comprehensive approach to evaluating the context of psychedelic use, with consideration of the many factors that could affect patient outcomes. The framework presents a way for providers to monitor real-world effectiveness and safety factors to ensure the medications reach the people who would benefit from using them.

According to Denver Health, the framework relies on monitoring tools like targeted surveys, medical information from treatment facilities and direct patient feedback.