Addiction Research & Theory
March 30, 2018
Caroline Dorsen, Joseph Palamar, Michele G. Shedlin
21 citations
Ceremonial use of psychoactive plant-based drugs like ayahuasca and psilocybin is growing in the US, but little is known about the users or how they distinguish such use from recreational drug use. Interviews with 15 plant medicine facilitators revealed they view ceremonial use as a natural healing practice within community and ritual, clearly separate from recreational use. They see plant medicine as a potential treatment for addiction, though concerns exist about interference with recovery. The use may also influence recreational drug habits. More research is needed on who uses plant medicines, their motivations, and risks.
Palliative & supportive care
January 21, 2025
Caroline Dorsen, Lola Noero, Michelle Knapp et al.
5 citations
Fifteen facilitators of naturalistic psychedelic groups in the United States described community as essential to every aspect of psychedelic work: from motivation to use psychedelics, through the dosing experience, to integrating lessons into daily life. Thematic analysis identified two overarching themes: the arc of healing through community (with subthemes of intention, the group journey experience, and integration) and naturally occurring psychedelic communities as group therapy (with subthemes of belonging, authenticity, corrective experience, trust, and touch). The findings suggest that existing knowledge about therapeutic group processes may help structure and optimize group psychedelic work. More research is needed on group size, composition, substance selection, facilitator training, and community integration. Psychedelic groups may provide benefits that individual work does not.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.)
September 1, 2024
Carolyn M Porta, Madison E Weirick, Anna Graefe et al.
4 citations
A survey of 1,133 Minnesota nurses in 2023 found mixed attitudes toward psychedelic decriminalization: 45.7% in favor, 20.1% against, and 34.2% unsure. Most nurses were open to therapeutic use and 80.7% were interested in observing psychedelic sessions, while 74.1% believed nurses have an important role in psychedelic health care. However, only 26.5% were confident in their knowledge about potential benefits for mental health conditions and 21.2% about mechanisms of action. As psychedelics may be reclassified by the FDA, nurses need more education to support evidence-based use for depression, anxiety, PTSD, and addiction.
Journal of hospice and palliative nursing : JHPN : the official journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association
April 1, 2025
Megan Miller, Molly Meyers, Annona Martin et al.
3 citations
A rapid review of 34 articles from 2021 to 2024 finds that psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is safe and shows initial efficacy for improving psycho-spiritual-existential outcomes in carefully screened patients with serious illness, predominantly cancer. Psilocybin was the most studied compound. Protocols commonly included participant screening, preparation, dosing, and integration. The review highlights current efforts and challenges in integrating PAT into palliative care systems. More research is needed with diverse samples, provider training, care delivery models, and policy solutions. Many patients lack basic psychosocial-spiritual-existential care, so careful integration is essential. The psychedelic substances discussed are not FDA approved.