Psychedelic-assisted therapy for anxiety and depression in the face of death: A critical review with an anthropological lens
Journal of Psychedelic Studies February 25, 2019 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2019.005 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin Depression Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Death anxiety Distress Psychotherapist Depression economics Meaning existential Clinical psychology Hallucinogen |
| Citations | 4 |
| Key findings | Recent clinical trials of LSD and psilocybin for anxiety and depression in terminally ill patients show higher methodological quality and demonstrate a profound impact, but gaps remain in understanding death, the psychedelic experience, and definitions of suffering. |
Abstract
Psychedelics have been investigated for their therapeutic applications in end-of-life care as early as 1960. Recently, there have been four main groups conducting clinical trials for either lysergic acid diethylamide or psilocybin for the treatment of anxiety and depression in patients with terminal illnesses. The recent trials have higher methodological quality and demonstrate the profound impact of psychedelics for this particular patient presentation. However, a number of gaps, including understanding the meaning of death and dying in Western society; the nature of the psychedelic experience and how this lends itself to assisting those who are facing death; and how suffering and psychological distress are defined and understood in current psychiatric and medical frameworks. This article provides a critical evaluation of the recent publications and suggests how anthropology may contribute knowledge to this emerging field.