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Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psycho-existential distress in advanced cancer: a narrative review

Luca Magnani, Luca Ghirotto, Fabio Fesce, Tania Simona Re, Silvia Tanzi, Mario Amore, Alessandra Costanza

BMJ Supportive & Palliative Care February 18, 2026 DOI: 10.1136/spcare-2025-005689 (opens in new tab)

Study at a glance

AI-extracted from the abstract
Characteristics Narrative review Peer reviewed
Population Patients with advanced cancer
Intervention Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy
Topics End-of-life distress Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy
Keywords Psychotherapist Narrative review Psycho-oncology Palliative care Therapeutic relationship Grounded theory Psychological distress Qualitative research Medline Clinical psychology
Key findings Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a compelling therapeutic option that warrants further investigation for ethically grounded implementation in palliative care beyond oncology.

Abstract

psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a compelling therapeutic option warranting further investigation through rigorous, interdisciplinary research to promote an anthropologically/ethically grounded implementation in palliative settings, even beyond the oncology field.