Social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life: A population-based survey
Louis Plourde, Sue-Ling Chang, Houman Farzin, Pierre Gagnon, Johanne Hébert, Robert Foxman, Pierre Deschamps, François Provost, Marianne Masse-Grenier, Jean-François Stephan, Katherine Cheung, Yann Joly, Jean‐sébastien Fallu, Michel Dorval, For The P3a Study Group
Palliative Medicine January 22, 2024 DOI: 10.1177/02692163231222430 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 2,800 |
| Population | Adults from four Canadian provinces (Québec, Ontario, Alberta, British Columbia) |
| Topics | Psilocybin End-of-life distress |
| Keywords | Palliative care End-of-life care Distress Existentialism Population Clinical psychology Psychotherapist |
| Citations | 22 |
| Key findings | 79.3% of respondents considered psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice for existential distress at the end of life. |
Abstract
Background: Internationally, there is a growing interest in the potential benefits of psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life. However, the social acceptability of this therapy is not yet well known.
Aim: This study assesses the social acceptability of the medical use of psilocybin to treat existential distress at the end of life.
Design: An online survey was conducted in Canada between November 23 and December 4, 2022. The questionnaire included items pertaining to perceptions, attitudes and concerns towards psilocybin-assisted therapy to treat existential distress at the end of life.
Participants: The sample ( n = 2800) was stratified by province, age and sex. Participants were adults from four provinces of Canada: Québec, Ontario, Alberta and British Columbia.
Results: Overall, 79.3% considered psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice for a patient suffering from existential distress at the end of life, 84.8% agreed that the public health system should cover the costs of the intervention and 63.3% would welcome the legalisation of psilocybin for medical purposes. Previous psilocybin use ( p < 0.0001, for all dependent variables), exposure to palliative care ( p < 0.05, for all dependent variables) and a progressive political orientation ( p < 0.05, for all dependent variables) were associated with more favourable attitudes towards psilocybin-assisted therapy at the end of life.
Conclusion: The social acceptability of psilocybin-assisted therapy for existential distress at the end of life is rather high in Canada. These findings may contribute to efforts to mobilise resources and improve access to this emerging therapy in palliative and end of life care settings.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 2 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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79.3% considered psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice for existential distress at the end of life, and 84.8% agreed the public health system should cover its costs.
Synthesized
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79.3% of respondents considered psilocybin-assisted therapy a reasonable medical choice for existential distress at the end of life, 84.8% supported public health system coverage, and 63.3% would welcome legalization for medical purposes.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psilocybin for end-of-life distress, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Palliative care patients’ attitudes and openness towards psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for existential distress English-fluent patients aged 18 or older with incurable illnesses at a palliative care... | 2024 | Pilot survey study | n = 31 |
| Implementing psilocybin-assisted therapy in palliative care settings: A survey of stakeholders Adults involved in palliative care (physicians, other healthcare professionals,... | 2026 | Cross-sectional survey | n = 121 |