What about terminally ill individuals? How have psychedelics helped them?

 

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People who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness often experience anxiety and depression, which can have a negative impact on quality of life as well as additional psychiatric and medical outcomes.1 Studies, however, have shown psychedelics – particularly psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, and ketamine – can help people overcome their anxiety and depression.2, 3, 4 Psychedelics have also been shown to be effective in treating “existential distress,” which is the fear and turmoil that terminally ill patients face when confronted with the prospect of dying.5

Footnotes

1. Schimmel, J., et al., (2020). Psychedelics for existential distress in terminally ill patients. Tijdschr Psychiatr. PubMed.gov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32816294/

2. Schimmel, J., et al., (2020). Psychedelics for existential distress in terminally ill patients. Tijdschr Psychiatr. PubMed.gov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32816294/

3. Schimmel, J., et al., (2020). Psychedelics for existential distress in terminally ill patients. Tijdschr Psychiatr. PubMed.gov. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32816294/

4. Wolfson, P., et al., (2020 November 24). MDMA-assisted psychotherapy for treatment of anxiety and other psychological distress related to life-threatening illnesses: a randomized pilot study. Scientific Reports. Nature. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-75706-1

5. Pessin, H., et al., (2018, October 3). Existential distress among caregivers or professionals taking care of dying patients. Curr Opin Support Palliat Care. PubMed Central. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/