Taking Psychedelics Seriously
Journal of Palliative Medicine January 22, 2018 DOI: 10.1089/jpm.2017.0684 (opens in new tab) via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractDespite growing evidence that psychedelics are safe and beneficial, political, regulatory, and industry hurdles block their legitimate medical use. Federal expanded access programs and state right-to-try laws already allow terminally ill patients to receive unapproved medications. Because many such patients endure persistent suffering and physician-hastened death is increasingly accepted, the authors argue it is time to reconsider the legitimate therapeutic use of psychedelics.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Anxiety Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Medicine Terminally ill Psychiatry Palliative care |
| Citations | 164 |
| Key finding | Argues that political, regulatory, and industry challenges impede the legitimate use of psychedelics, and that it is time to revisit their therapeutic use given precedents for access to unapproved medications and acceptance of physician-hastened death. |
Abstract
Even with an expanding evidence base confirming safety and benefits, political, regulatory, and industry issues impose challenges to the legitimate use of psychedelics. The federal expanded access program and right-to-try laws in multiple states provide precendents for giving terminally ill patients access to medications that have not yet earned FDA approval. Given the prevalence of persistent suffering and growing acceptance of physician-hastened death as a medical response, it is time to revisit the legitimate therapeutic use of psychedelics.