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.
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 psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy is a compelling therapeutic option warranting further rigorous, interdisciplinary research for ethically grounded implementation in palliative settings.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on psilocybin for end-of-life distress, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy in the Context of Serious Illness. Palliative care clinicians and patients | 2022 | Review | |
| The Potential of Psychedelics for End of Life and Palliative Care. Patients with life-threatening diagnoses | 2022 | Review | |
| Psilocybin in Palliative Care: An Update. Palliative care patients | 2023 | Review | |
| Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for existential distress: practical considerations for therapeutic application—a review | 2024 | Narrative review | |
| Psychedelics for the treatment of end-of-life distress in patients with a life-threatening disease. Patients with life-threatening disease and end-of-life distress | 2025 | Review |