Psychedelic therapy and cultural humility
Translational Psychiatry February 27, 2026 Alex Gearin, Jennifer Docherty, Xiaofan Sun et al. 1 citation
Psychedelic-assisted therapies show clinical promise for reducing depression and anxiety in patients with life-limiting illness, but most protocols reflect Euro-American values. Using Chinese palliative care as an example, the commentary argues that cultural factors such as family-centered decision-making, spiritual beliefs, and stigma will shape how these therapies work in different settings. Cultural humility—ongoing self-reflection, sensitivity to power dynamics, and openness to diverse worldviews—is essential for psychedelic therapy, where patient experiences depend on context and meaning-making. Efficacy is not solely biochemical but also cultural; addressing this translational gap requires humility toward how situated beliefs, norms, and practices interact with psychedelic pharmacology.