A Review of the Research and Theological Implications of the Use of Psychedelic Drugs with Terminal Cancer Patients

A review of major research studies on psychedelic drug use with terminal cancer patients finds that controlled experimentation with substances like LSD should continue and expand under careful scientific, ethical, and theological scrutiny. Present-day research is concentrated at the Maryland Psychiatric Center, where early pilot studies were conducted. The conclusions of researchers including Eric Kast, Sidney Cohen, Walter Pahnke, William Richards, and Albert Kurland support further investigation. The theological implications, particularly those suggested by Gordon D. Kaufman, are briefly examined.

Study at a glance

Abstract

This article reviews the major research studies on the use of psychedelic drugs with terminal cancer patients. Present-day research is concentrated at the Maryland Psychiatric Center, where many of the early pilot studies were conducted. The conclusions of researchers such as Eric Kast, Sidney Cohen, Walter Pahnke, William Richards, and Albert Kurland indicate that controlled experimentation with such drugs as LSD should be continued and expanded, subjected to careful scientific, ethical, and theological scrutiny. The significant theological implications of this research, especially those suggested by Gordon D. Kaufman, are briefly examined.