Radiation therapy patients' interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy: results of a survey.
Radiation oncology (London, England) July 21, 2025 Jino Park, Rufus Banks, Akul Munjal et al.
About 43% of cancer patients receiving radiation therapy expressed interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), while 31% opposed it and 26% were unsure. Interest was higher among those with prior mental health diagnoses, prior psychedelic use, younger age, and male sex. Patients with greater depression, worse spiritual well-being, demoralization, pain, and lower quality of life were more receptive to PAT. The main reason for hesitancy was lack of information, cited by 43% of those not interested or unsure. The findings suggest that many cancer patients are open to PAT, and that education could reduce barriers to acceptance.