Psychedelic drugs in palliative care: research agenda.
Claire Stokes, Aaryan Khagram, Billie Metselaar, Taylan Gurgenci, Phillip Good
BMJ supportive & palliative care December 23, 2025 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2025-005661 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelics may help address emotional and spiritual challenges in patients with life-limiting illnesses that conventional palliative care does not fully relieve. However, existing studies are limited by small sample sizes and low methodological quality, leaving their use in palliative settings poorly understood. The article outlines a research agenda calling for adequately powered randomized controlled trials with patient-centered outcome measures to inform policy and practice change.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Review Randomized Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Palliative care Psychological care Terminal care |
| Key finding | Existing studies on psychedelics in palliative care are limited by small sample sizes and low methodological quality, and the article proposes a research agenda for future trials. |
Abstract
Patients with life-limiting illnesses often experience profound emotional and spiritual challenges that conventional palliative care treatments may not fully alleviate. Psychedelics, with their potential to facilitate deep psychological insight, offer a promising approach to enhancing end-of-life care. Despite growing interest and emerging psychiatric applications, their use in palliative settings remains poorly understood, with existing studies limited by small sample sizes and low methodological quality. This article outlines a research agenda that prioritises adequately powered randomised controlled trials with patient-centred outcome measures, with an aim to inform policy and practice change.