J Palliat Med
April 13, 2021
Yvan Beaussant, James Tulsky, Benjamin Guérin et al.
34 citations
Researchers from palliative care, psychosocial oncology, spiritual care, oncology, and psychedelic-assisted therapies identified seven key opportunities for advancing research on psychedelic-assisted therapy for people with serious illness. Four opportunities relate to science and design: clarifying which conditions the therapy is indicated for, developing and refining therapeutic protocols, investigating how set and setting affect outcomes, and understanding mechanisms of action. Three opportunities concern institutional and societal drivers: education and certification for therapists, regulations and funding, and diversity and inclusion. Participants also noted epistemological limitations of the medical model for understanding psychedelics' therapeutic value.
Frontiers in psychology
January 1, 2023
Karin Cinalioglu, Paola Lavín, Magnus Bein et al.
21 citations
A randomized controlled trial will test whether virtual-reality-guided meditation is feasible and acceptable for reducing stress, anxiety, and depression in older adults. Thirty community-dwelling adults aged 60 years or older with moderate stress will be randomly assigned to either an eight-session VR meditation program or a waitlist control group. Sessions last 15 minutes and occur twice weekly for four weeks, offered at home or in a hospital. Outcomes include perceived stress, anxiety, depression, sleep quality, quality of life, and mindfulness skills, measured before and after the intervention. Qualitative interviews will capture participants' experiences. The trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05315609).
Palliative & supportive care
December 1, 2023
Roxanne Sholevar, John Peteet, Justin Sanders et al.
9 citations
Experts in serious illness care and psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) hold divergent views on PAT's therapeutic potential and safety for patients with serious illness. Five factors shape their attitudes: perception of unmet need, knowledge of empirical studies, personal psychedelic experience, professional background, and age or generation. An overarching theme is PAT's disruptive potential at four levels: the patient's experience of self, illness, and death; relationships with loved ones and healthcare providers; existing clinical models; and societal attitudes toward death. Whether this disruption is seen as a therapeutic opportunity or an undue risk determines the level of support. These points of disruption raise practical and philosophical considerations for integrating PAT into serious illness care.
General hospital psychiatry
January 1, 2025
Yvan Beaussant, Elise Tarbi, Kabir Nigam et al.
3 citations
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) is promising for cancer-related depression, but little is known about how the therapeutic context affects patient experiences. In interviews with 28 patients with cancer and depression who participated in a clinical trial, participants described the psilocybin experience as intense and demanding. Therapeutic benefits were closely tied to their ability to "surrender"—accepting and remaining open to the experience's intensity and unpredictability. A safe, supportive, and ethical environment was critical for trust and engagement. Preparation and integration were key to maximizing benefit. Music played a variable role, sometimes enhancing and other times distracting. The clinical setting provided safety, while ceremonial elements added meaning.
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
March 1, 2026
Yvan Beaussant, Candace Oglesby, Kim Roddy et al.
BIPOC therapists see both opportunities and barriers to engaging in psychedelic-assisted therapies (PAT). Opportunities include increasing diversity in the field, fostering safety and trust for clients of color, and providing culturally attuned care for trauma rooted in systemic oppression. Barriers include financial and geographic inaccessibility of training, exclusionary training environments, stigma around psychedelics, and the extractive nature of current Western therapeutic models. Participants recommended culturally responsive training, mentorship, financial support, and community education. Most participants were African American/Black, which may limit transferability. The work highlights the need for intentional efforts to create equitable, culturally informed care.