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Journal of Palliative Medicine

ISSN 1096-6218

7 papers in the library · 214 citations · publishing 2018-2024

Papers

Taking Psychedelics Seriously

Journal of Palliative Medicine January 22, 2018 Ira Byock 164 citations

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.

DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0684 Psilocybin Anxiety Medicine Terminally ill +9

Defining the Roles and Research Priorities for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies in Patients with Serious Illness: Expert Clinicians' and Investigators' Perspectives

Journal of Palliative Medicine April 1, 2020 Yvan Beaussant, Justin J. Sanders, Zachary Sager et al. 39 citations

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.

DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2019.0603 Anxiety Psychosocial Medicine Thematic analysis +6

Developing a Direct Observation Measure of Therapeutic Connection in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy: A Feasibility Study

Journal of Palliative Medicine August 17, 2023 Robert Gramling, Emily Bennett, Keith Curtis et al. 6 citations

Directly observing therapeutic connection during psilocybin-assisted therapy is feasible. In a clinical trial, three coders independently reviewed audio and video from four 8-hour psilocybin administration sessions, identifying 372 moments of therapeutic connection. Eighty-three percent of these moments were detected by at least two coders, and 41% by all three. Coders used both audible cues (speech prosody, words) and visible cues (body movements, eye gaze, touch) in 51% of observed events. The expressions of connection varied as the drug's effects on consciousness changed over time. The findings suggest that evaluating both sound and video is necessary to capture the full range of therapeutic connection.

DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2023.0189 Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy Communication Empathy +6

Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Brain Cancer Related Existential Distress: A Case-Report

Journal of Palliative Medicine September 12, 2024 Jean-François Stephan, Sani Karam 2 citations

A patient with end-of-life distress from stage 4 astrocytoma received psilocybin-assisted therapy through a special access program and had a positive response without adverse events. Standard treatments for existential distress are often ineffective, and psilocybin-assisted therapy is rarely available, especially for patients with brain cancer. The authors argue that access to this therapy needs to be expanded urgently, as many patients with unresolved existential distress resort to medical assistance in dying without knowing about psilocybin-assisted therapy.

DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2024.0277 Psilocybin Medicine Distress Cancer +4