Psychedelic‐assisted therapy for palliative care within a home treatment setting: A case report
Seragnoli Federico, Martignoni Geo, Martignoni Entela, Silke Bachmann, Rabitti Elisa, Cavuto Silvio, Dubus Zoë, Penzenstadler Louise, Thorens Gabriel, Billieux Joël, Zullino Daniele
Clinical Case Reports August 30, 2024 DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.9305 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Case study Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 1 |
| Population | A patient with throat cancer experiencing significant existential distress |
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy End-of-life distress |
| Keywords | Home treatment Palliative care Psychedelic‐assisted therapy Throat cancer End-of-life care Home healthcare Terminal illness |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key findings | Psychedelic-assisted therapy was feasible and safe as a home-based intervention for a patient with throat cancer and existential distress. |
Abstract
Key Clinical Message This case study describes the feasibility and safety of psychedelic‐assisted therapy (PAT) as a home‐based intervention for a patient with throat cancer experiencing significant existential distress. The patient tolerated the intervention well. This case supports the feasibility and safety of PAT for patients with life‐threatening conditions in a home setting. Abstract Psychedelic‐assisted therapy (PAT), as it is practiced today, merges traditional psychotherapeutic techniques with the use of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, or MDMA with the aim of unlocking deeper insights in patients and treating mental conditions that are resistant to other forms of therapy. The present case study describes the safety of PAT as a home‐based intervention for a patient with throat cancer experiencing significant existential distress. The patient tolerated the intervention well and was asked to report on measures of anxiety, depression, and distress related to his somatic condition. The observations provided by this clinical case report align with previous findings, suggesting that PAT can be safely applied to potentially provide relief from existential distress in patients with life‐threatening conditions. As this is a single‐case study, generalizations should be made cautiously. Moreover, placebo effects, expectancy effects, and the natural course of the disease may influence outcomes. Future research should consider controlled trials to ascertain the efficacy and safety of such interventions in diverse settings.
Comparable studies
Other case reports and case series on end-of-life distress, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adjunctive Intranasal Esketamine for Comorbid Treatment-Resistant Depression with Suicidal Ideation in Patients Receiving Palliative Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center: A Case Series. Patients with cancer, treatment-resistant depression, and suicidal ideation at a... | 2025 | Case series | n = 3 |
| Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy for Brain Cancer Related Existential Distress: A Case-Report Patient with stage 4 astrocytoma and end-of-life distress | 2024 | Case study | n = 1 |
| The DSC Triangle Model of Buddhist Palliative Care: Doctrine, Spiritual Pillar, and Community at Wat Kham Pramong Five care-team informants and five terminal cancer patients at Wat Kham Pramong, Sakon... | 2026 | Qualitative case study | n = 10 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- The Role of Psychedelics in Contemporary Psychological and Interdisciplinary Inquiry. Journal of Personalized Medicine September 28, 2025
- Confronting mortality: A meta-analysis and systematic review of psychedelic experiences and death anxiety Journal of Psychopharmacology March 9, 2026
- The therapeutic potential of ayahuasca in depression, generalized anxiety, and substance use disorders: modulation of the depressive burden in a longitudinal study. Frontiers in Psychiatry 2026
Cites 35
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Psilocybin-assisted treatment for alcohol dependence: A proof-of-concept study Journal of Psychopharmacology January 13, 2015
- Psilocybin with psychological support for treatment-resistant depression: six-month follow-up. Psychopharmacology November 8, 2017
and 30 more in the library