The potential role of psychedelics in palliative care
Medycyna Paliatywna July 15, 2026 Maciej Sulerzycki, Katarzyna Pomykała, Katarzyna Giemza et al.
Psychedelic substances such as psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine are being considered as an alternative treatment for depression, existential distress, and chronic pain in palliative medicine. The review describes how these compounds enhance neuroplasticity and reorganize neural networks in the brain. Recent clinical studies suggest psychedelics can produce rapid and long-lasting antidepressant and anxiolytic effects with a low risk of serious adverse events. However, legal restrictions in most countries hinder scientific progress. Further large-scale clinical trials and precise clinical guidelines are needed before routine integration into palliative care, with particular attention to patients with suicidal ideation.