Houman Farzin, MD

My passion for indigenous knowledge and cross-cultural healing has taken me to rural and remote communities across Canada, including those above the Arctic Circle. These experiences deeply shaped my understanding of health and wellness, reinforcing the importance of culturally rooted and community-informed care.

My exploration of altered states of consciousness began in my undergraduate years at the University of California, Berkeley, and has been influenced by both Eastern philosophies and the study of traditional healing practices from around the world. This interest led to formal training in MDMA-, psilocybin-, and ketamine-assisted therapies.

Advancing the Field

As part of my commitment to advancing the field, I have helped pioneer psychedelic therapy in Quebec:

• Treated patients in the first Health Canada-approved psilocybin and MDMA programs within Quebec's public healthcare system
• Serve on the training and ethics committees of TheraPsil, a non-profit advocating for legal access to psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy
• Served as the Montreal site physician for MAPPUSX, a national MDMA-assisted psychotherapy study sponsored by the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS)

My research has explored the role of cannabis and exercise in managing chemotherapy-induced neuropathy, along with the inflammatory, microbiome, and metabolomic changes tied to these interventions.

Digital Health & Service

As co-founder of injoy (formerly Phyla), I helped develop a digital health platform that uses AI to connect the dots between diet, lifestyle, digestive symptoms, and the microbiome. This tool reflects my belief in empowering individuals with personalized data to support lasting wellness.

I am also a Panel Physician for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, and feel deeply called to serve marginalized and transitional populations.

My Philosophy

Healing, to me, is about addressing the whole person, not just symptoms or diagnoses. My approach is deeply humanistic, grounded in a trauma-informed, bio-psycho-social-spiritual model of care. I strive to create a space where individuals feel seen, supported, and empowered to navigate even the most difficult life experiences.

I have long practiced meditation, including Vipassana and mindful medical practice, which continues to inform my therapeutic work and personal life.

Beyond Medicine

Outside of medicine, I am an artist at heart. I compose music, create visual art, and perform as a DJ. These creative practices are not just hobbies, they are extensions of my philosophy that healing and expression are profoundly interconnected.

Whether in a hospital room, a remote village, or behind a DJ booth, I remain guided by a simple principle: to reduce suffering and help others find meaning, presence, and peace.