Existing evidence for the use of psychedelics in patients with cancer and other serious illness: A narrative review.
Journal of psychosocial oncology March 26, 2025 Jennifer Bires
People with cancer or serious illness experience mood disorders and existential distress more often than the general population. Limited pharmacological advances and variable psychological treatments have prompted interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy. A narrative review of five randomized controlled trials published between 2011 and 2020, testing psilocybin, MDMA, or LSD in palliative or oncology settings, found that four of the five showed a significant decrease in anxiety at least at one time point, and three indicated a significant decrease in depression. No serious adverse events related to the drug sessions were reported. Psychedelic-assisted therapy appears to be a promising addition or complement to existing treatments for depression, anxiety, and existential distress in this population.