It’s all about the relationship: The caregiver experience of supporting a person with advanced cancer going through an LSD microdosing trial
Fiona Cottam, Alesha Wells, Cerys Clayden, Lisa Reynolds
Palliative & Supportive Care 2026 DOI: 10.1017/s1478951526101977 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Caregivers of advanced cancer patients in an LSD microdosing trial |
| Topics | LSD Microdosing |
| Keywords | Clinical trial Psychotherapist Terminal cancer Cancer treatment Family medicine Palliative care Medline Family caregivers Nursing Alternative medicine Research design |
| Key points | Argues that caregivers should be included alongside patients in psychedelic-assisted therapy trials for cancer-related distress because of the bidirectional relationship in well-being between cancer dyads. |
Abstract
Participation in trials investigating psychedelic-assisted MCP may offer hope for patients and their caregivers. Given the bidirectional relationship in wellbeing between cancer dyads, caregivers should be included alongside patients in such trials.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for a synthesis in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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Argues that caregivers should be included alongside patients in psychedelic-assisted therapy trials for cancer-related distress because of the bidirectional relationship in wellbeing between cancer dyads.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other theoretical and historical papers on microdosing, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Positron emission tomography microdosing: a new concept with application in tracer and early clinical drug development | 2003 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Set and setting in microdosing: an oft-overlooked principle. | 2022 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Psilocybin Microdosing Schedules, 5-HT2A Adaptation, and the Age-Dependent Cortical State: From Intermittent to Continuous Exposure | 2026 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Daily Psilocybin Microdosing as a Receptor-Adaptation Paradigm: A Testable 5-HT2A Down-Regulation Hypothesis | 2026 | Theoretical or philosophical paper | |
| Microdosing psychedelics: More questions than answers? An overview and suggestions for future research | 2019 | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
Citations in the library
Cites 9
- Psychedelic-Assisted Psychotherapy—A Systematic Review of Associated Psychological Interventions Frontiers in Psychology June 10, 2022
- Registered clinical studies investigating psychedelic drugs for psychiatric disorders. Journal of Psychiatric Research July 1, 2021
- Acute Mood-Elevating Properties of Microdosed Lysergic Acid Diethylamide in Healthy Volunteers: A Home-Administered Randomized Controlled Trial. Biological Psychiatry September 15, 2023
- Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy to treat psychiatric and existential distress in life-threatening medical illnesses and palliative care. Neuropharmacology September 15, 2022
- LSD-assisted therapy in patients with anxiety: open-label prospective 12-month follow-up. The British Journal of Psychiatry September 1, 2024
and 4 more in the library