James A Tulsky

Department of Psychosocial Oncology and Palliative Care, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, Massachusetts, USA.

2 papers in the library · 52 citations · publishing 2022-2025

Papers

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Serious Illness.

Journal of palliative medicine August 1, 2022 William E Rosa, Zachary Sager, Megan Miller et al. 49 citations

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is a promising treatment for conditions like treatment-resistant depression, substance use disorder, and PTSD. In palliative care, a single PAT session can produce lasting reductions in anxiety, depression, and demoralization—symptoms that harm quality of life for seriously ill and end-of-life patients. Although interest in psychedelics has revived, few resources exist for applying PAT in hospice and palliative care. This article provides 10 evidence-informed tips for palliative care clinicians, developed with international experts, to help familiarize teams with PAT, address legal and logistical barriers, discuss therapeutic competencies, and highlight approaches to maximize safety and benefits for patients and caregivers.

DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2022.0036 Full text LSD MDMA Depression Psilocybin +7

Set and setting in psilocybin-assisted therapy: A qualitative study of patients with cancer and depression.

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.

DOI: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2025.10.010 Full text Existential distress Major depressive disorder Cancer Psilocybin-assisted therapy