Psychedelic-assisted therapies for existential and spiritual suffering in palliative care

Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies (PAT) may alleviate existential and spiritual suffering in individuals facing serious illnesses.

• Existential and spiritual suffering is commonly reported by individuals with serious illnesses, particularly at the end of life.
• This suffering is linked to reduced quality of life, heightened psychological distress, and increased requests for hastened death.
• Current Palliative Care (PC) methods often do not sufficiently address the deep disruptions in meaning and dignity that patients experience.
• PAT, especially those utilizing psilocybin, has shown potential to create transformative experiences that could reduce existential and spiritual distress.
• The integration of PAT into PC involves various practical, clinical, ethical, and legal considerations, alongside challenges in implementation.

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