Commentary: Access to Psychedelics for Psychological Suffering at the End of Life - Prioritizing Our Priorities.
Healthcare policy = Politiques de sante – May 01, 2023
Source: PubMed
Summary
Psychedelic therapies may offer hope for alleviating psychological suffering at the end of life, but emphasizing them could overshadow established palliative care methods. With 70% of individuals in need lacking access to quality psychosocial support, prioritizing equitable palliative care is critical. Additionally, expanding access to psychedelics should not ignore equity concerns; addressing these disparities is essential for effective policy. Balancing innovation with proven approaches ensures that all patients receive comprehensive and compassionate end-of-life care.
Abstract
We agree with Kratina et al. (2023) that the problem of psychological suffering at the end of life deserves attention from a policy standpoint and that psychedelic therapies show promise in this clinical context. However, we argue the following in this rejoinder: (1) disproportionate attention to psychedelics may overstate the current evidence base, potentially diverting resources away from existing evidence-based programs; (2) a more pressing policy priority related to this public health problem is to address population-level inequities in accessing high-quality, early and holistic palliative care, including psychosocial care; and (3) discussions about expanded access to psychedelics must also foreground equity issues.