Journal of Humanistic Psychology
April 28, 2017
Alexander Belser, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes, Thomas Cody Swift et al.
305 citations
In psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cancer patients with anxiety, participants commonly reported feelings of interconnectedness, emotional range, meaningful visual phenomena, and revised life priorities. Most described exalted joy, bliss, love, and transient distress, while some experienced lasting identity changes, synesthesia, catharsis, improved relationships, and forgiveness. The findings suggest psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy may effectively treat psychological distress in cancer patients.
Journal of Humanistic Psychology
June 14, 2017
Thomas Cody Swift, Alexander Belser, Gabrielle Agin-Liebes et al.
187 citations
In psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for cancer patients with anxiety, participants described reconciling with death, acknowledging cancer's place in life, and emotionally uncoupling from the disease. The immersive and sometimes distressing psilocybin session led to spiritual or religious interpretations, a felt reconnection to life, reclaiming presence, and greater confidence about cancer recurrence. Patients also reported anxiety and trauma related to cancer and a perceived lack of emotional support. The findings suggest psychological mechanisms—such as emotional uncoupling and reconciliation with death—that may underlie large reductions in anxiety and depression observed in recent trials.
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies
July 1, 2014
Eli Kolp, Harris L. Friedman, Evgeny Krupitsky et al.
53 citations
Ketamine psychedelic psychotherapy (KPP) is a treatment approach that combines the dissociative anesthetic ketamine with psychotherapy. Ketamine produces a range of effects including analgesic, sedative, anxiolytic, antidepressant, and hallucinogenic properties. The paper reviews clinical applications of KPP, offers practical guidance, and examines the pharmacology and phenomenology of ketamine-induced experiences, including their potential for transpersonal healing and risks of misuse. It aims to serve as an authoritative resource for psychiatrists and others interested in understanding and applying KPP.
International Journal of Transpersonal Studies
January 1, 2007
Eli Kolp, M. Scott Young, Harris L. Friedman et al.
44 citations
Ketamine, a dissociative anesthetic, has antidepressant effects and can induce transformative transpersonal experiences. Although only approved as an anesthetic in the US, it is prescribed off-label for psychological problems and used similarly in Argentina, Iran, Mexico, Russia, and the UK. The literature on ketamine-enhanced psychotherapy (KEP) is reviewed, and two case studies treating death anxiety in terminally-ill people are reported. The authors emphasize the need for formal research on KEP for end-of-life death anxiety.