Despite growing evidence that psychedelics are safe and beneficial, political, regulatory, and industry hurdles block their legitimate medical use. Federal expanded access programs and state right-to-try laws already allow terminally ill patients to receive unapproved medications. Because many such patients endure persistent suffering and physician-hastened death is increasingly accepted, the authors argue it is time to reconsider the legitimate therapeutic use of psychedelics.
Experts in serious illness care and psychedelic research hold polarized views on psychedelic-assisted therapies for patients with serious illness, ranging from strong support for medical utility to reluctance due to risks such as delirium or worsening psychological distress. Research priorities focus on patients with clinically diagnosed psychosocial distress like depression, anxiety, or demoralization, though some roles extend beyond traditional medical diagnosis. Essential safety and efficacy guidelines are needed for integrating these therapies into existing care models. The study proposes a conceptual framework for such integration based on interviews with 17 experts from the United States and Canada.