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.
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.
Cancer
December 18, 2023
Yvan Beaussant, Kabir Nigam, Zachary Sager et al.
22 citations
Patients with cancer and depression who received psilocybin-assisted therapy in a group setting found the approach generally acceptable. The group sessions increased their sense of safety and preparedness, fostered connection and belonging, and deepened the meaning of their experience, opening dimensions of self-transcendence and compassion. Key factors influencing acceptability included the therapeutic framework, the complementary role of individual sessions, and group size and structure. The findings suggest that combining group and individual sessions may enhance perceived safety and efficacy compared to either format alone, offering a scalable model for integrating psilocybin-assisted therapy into cancer 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.
Psychedelic Medicine
October 8, 2025
Elise C. Tarbi, Skye A. Miner, Kabir Nigam et al.
1 citation
Patients with cancer and depression describe their cancer experience as deepening their awareness of mortality and prompting them to reprioritize relationships and efforts. In a trial of psilocybin-assisted group therapy, participants sought not only relief from depression but also a new perspective on existential worries and spiritual resources. After treatment, they reported lasting effects including an enhanced sense of meaning, agency, aliveness, and connectedness, describing the experience as a healing, unfolding transformation. The findings illuminate how psilocybin-assisted therapy may address existential suffering and foster personal growth in this population.