The Role of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy to Support Patients With Cancer: A Critical Scoping Review of the Research
Rebecca H Lehto, Megan Miller, Jessica Sender
Journal of Holistic Nursing September 6, 2021 DOI: 10.1177/08980101211039086 (opens in new tab)
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Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Qualitative Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with cancer |
| Intervention | Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy |
| Topics | Anxiety Depression Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Cancer Existential concerns Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy |
| Citations | 16 |
| Key findings | Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy shows promise for carefully screened patients with cancer who have persistent existential suffering, with most patient experiences centering on death acceptance, reflection, and broadened spirituality. |
Abstract
Treatments for addressing psychiatric mental health issues in vulnerable patients with cancer are established. Yet, many patients persist with unrelenting psychological difficulties despite intervention. There is growing interest in the role of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for managing treatment-resistant mental health challenges in patients with cancer. Psilocybin is a naturally occurring compound derived from certain mushroom species that can induce entheogenic experiences or an altered state of consciousness. Reed's Self-Transcendence Theory provides a holistic lens to examine existential concerns and mental health in individuals who perceive their illness as potentially life threatening, such as those with cancer. This scoping literature review used Arksey and O’Malley's template to evaluate research examining psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for patients with cancer. Eight articles met inclusion/exclusion criteria (four quantitative, two mixed methods, and two qualitative). Review findings indicated that the majority of patient experiences were positive, centering on themes of death acceptance, reflection, and broadened spirituality. Although psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is in early stages of clinical testing, it thus shows promise for carefully screened patients with cancer who have persistent existential suffering. It will be critical for investigators to tailor this emerging intervention to select patients and for clinicians to be engaged in assessment of outcomes and efficacy.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy: A Paradigm Shift in Psychiatric Research and Development | 2018 | Review | |
| Novel psychopharmacological therapies for psychiatric disorders: psilocybin and MDMA. | 2016 | Review | |
| Systematized Review of Psychotherapeutic Components of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy | 2021 | Systematized review | |
| The Emerging Field of Psychedelic Psychotherapy. | 2022 | Review | |
| Experience of Music Used With Psychedelic Therapy: A Rapid Review and Implications Participants in psychedelic therapy research aged 18–69 with varied backgrounds | 2020 | Rapid review | n = 180 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 17
- Psychosocial and Integrative Oncology: Interventions Across the Disease Trajectory Annual Review of Psychology September 14, 2022
- Psilocybin for clinical indications: A scoping review Journal of Psychopharmacology August 13, 2024
- Applying Key Lessons from the Hospice and Palliative Care Movement to Inform Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy. Psychedelic Medicine September 1, 2023
- A Rapid Review of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Palliative Care. Journal of Hospice and Palliative Nursing April 1, 2025
- Exploring Psychedelics for Alleviating Existential and Spiritual Suffering in People With Serious Illnesses: Links to the Theory of Self-Transcendence. Journal of Holistic Nursing May 29, 2024
and 12 more in the library
Cites 18
- 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
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Pilot Study of Psilocybin Treatment for Anxiety in Patients With Advanced-Stage Cancer Archives of General Psychiatry September 7, 2010
- Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Journal of Humanistic Psychology June 19, 2017
- Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors Journal of Psychopharmacology October 11, 2017
and 13 more in the library