A Rapid Review of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Palliative Care.
Megan Miller, Molly Meyers, Annona Martin, Stephanie Napolitano, Caroline Dorsen, Andrew Penn, William E Rosa
Journal of hospice and palliative nursing : JHPN : the official journal of the Hospice and Palliative Nurses Association April 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1097/njh.0000000000001096 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA rapid review of 34 articles from 2021 to 2024 finds that psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is safe and shows initial efficacy for improving psycho-spiritual-existential outcomes in carefully screened patients with serious illness, predominantly cancer. Psilocybin was the most studied compound. Protocols commonly included participant screening, preparation, dosing, and integration. The review highlights current efforts and challenges in integrating PAT into palliative care systems. More research is needed with diverse samples, provider training, care delivery models, and policy solutions. Many patients lack basic psychosocial-spiritual-existential care, so careful integration is essential. The psychedelic substances discussed are not FDA approved.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Rapid review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 34 |
| Population | Patients with serious illness (predominantly cancer) in palliative care |
| Intervention | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Clinical trials Mental health treatment End-of-life care Psilocybin research |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key finding | Psychedelic-assisted therapy is safe and shows initial efficacy for psycho-spiritual-existential outcomes in carefully screened patients with serious illness, though more diverse research and integration efforts are needed. |
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) involves supported experiences with psychedelic medicines in carefully curated environments. Early evidence suggests possible utility of PAT for addressing psychosocial-spiritual-existential concerns, yet gaps remain in understanding findings related to PAT's role in palliative care. This rapid review aims to synthesize current literature on applications of PAT in the context of palliative care. Through a systematic process, we identified 34 articles published between January 2021 and July 2024. Protocols varied yet included common components of participant screening, preparation, dosing, and integration. Psilocybin was the most commonly studied compound. Results support safety and initial efficacy of PAT for psycho-spiritual-existential outcomes among carefully screened and highly homogonous samples of patients with serious illness (predominantly cancer). Current efforts and challenges around integrating PAT into systems of palliative care were highlighted. Additional work is needed to (1) explore PAT's safety and efficacy within more diverse samples and contexts, (2) train palliative care providers on PAT, (3) determine systems of care delivery best suited for translation of PAT into practice, and (4) begin developing policy solutions to support safe and equitable access to PAT. Because many patients lack access to basic psychosocial-spiritual-existential care, careful consideration is needed around integration of PAT. The psychedelic substances which are the topic of this article are not currently FDA approved for use in the United States.