Psychedelic Ethics in Palliative Care.
Keenan Davis, Roman Palitsky, Boadie W. Dunlop, George H. Grant, Ali J. Zarrabi
Am J Bioeth January 13, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/15265161.2024.2433457 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractCohen and Marks (2025) argue for a middle path between two extreme views on psychedelic medicine: the exceptionalism that overstates its unique therapeutic potential and the skepticism that dismisses it as no different from other treatments. They contend that psychedelics do possess distinctive features—such as their capacity to induce profound altered states and facilitate enduring psychological change—but that these features do not warrant special regulatory or ethical exemptions. The authors advocate for integrating psychedelic therapies into existing medical frameworks while acknowledging their specific risks and benefits, aiming to balance innovation with responsible oversight.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Psychedelic medicine has distinctive features that do not justify exceptional regulatory or ethical treatment, and should be integrated into existing medical frameworks. |
Abstract
In their article “Psychedelic Medicine Exceptionalism,” Cohen and Marks (2025) aim to chart a middle course between two extreme positions—the Scylla and Charybdis of psychedelic “exceptionalism” an...