Psychedelics and Related Pharmacotherapies as Integrative Medicine for Older Adults in Palliative Care.
Kabir Nigam, Kimberly A Curseen, Yvan Beaussant
Clinics in geriatric medicine August 1, 2023 DOI: 10.1016/j.cger.2023.04.004 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelic-assisted therapy effectively treats the multidimensional psychological distress common at the end of life, which includes psychosocial, existential, and physical symptom burdens. Ketamine and cannabis may provide rapid relief for symptom burden. More data is needed, especially in elderly populations.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Interventions | Psychedelic-assisted therapy Ketamine Cannabis |
| Topics | End-of-life distress Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | End of life Integrative medicine Pat Palliative care |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Psychedelic-assisted therapy is an effective treatment for end-of-life distress, while ketamine and cannabis may help with symptom burden. |
Abstract
Psychological distress at the end of life is a common experience that lacks effective treatments. This is in part due to the multidimensional nature of psychological distress at the end of life, encompassing an interplay between psychosocial and existential distress as well as physical symptom burden. Research shows that psychedelic-assisted therapy is an effective treatment of end of life distress. Ketamine and cannabis may help with quick and effective treatment of symptom burden at the end of life. Although these novel interventions show promise, further data is needed, particularly in elderly populations.