Perceptions of Australasian palliative care physicians regarding the safety and efficacy of psychedelic medicines: An exploratory mixed-methods study
Nicholas Sawers, Michael Billingsley, David B Menkes
Psychedelics April 4, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.psyche.2026.100016 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Exploratory mixed-methods study Cross-sectional Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 93 |
| Population | Consultant and trainee members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM) |
| Topics | End-of-life distress |
| Keywords | Palliative care Exploratory research Distress Openness to experience Perception Existentialism Assisted suicide Family medicine Nursing |
| Key points | Australasian palliative care doctors hold cautious but generally positive attitudes toward psychedelics and support further research to establish their role in palliative care. |
Abstract
Psychiatric symptoms and existential distress are common at the end of life and associated with poor outcomes. Psychedelic therapies are an emerging option for managing such patients, but their testing and application depends, inter alia , on prescribers’ perspectives. However, no published data exist on the opinions of Australasian palliative care medical staff regarding psychedelic safety and efficacy. This exploratory mixed-methods study used a cross-sectional survey, together with an optional semi-structured interview, to explore attitudes among consultant and trainee members of the Australian and New Zealand Society of Palliative Medicine (ANZSPM). Of 580 invitations, 93 questionnaires were returned (16%). Seventy respondents (75%) disagreed that psychedelics are unsafe and should be prohibited for medical use, while 82 (88%) agreed clinical use for palliative patients warrants further investigation. Younger respondents were more likely than their older colleagues to believe psychedelics may improve clinical outcomes. Twelve interviews were completed; 8 interviewees were female and 7 were consultants. Analysis identified five themes: openness to innovation, safety, patient-centred care, therapeutic potential, and access and equity. Limited evidence suggests psychedelic therapies are generally safe and can be effective for treating existential distress and psychiatric symptoms at end of life. Alongside clinical trials, the legal and regulatory landscape is evolving. Findings from this exploratory study suggest that Australasian palliative care doctors hold cautious but generally positive attitudes toward psychedelics and support further research to establish their role in palliative care. • Australasian palliative doctors are cautiously optimistic regarding psychedelics. • They strongly endorsed the need for end-of-life psychedelic research. • They recognized the importance of innovative, patient-centred care.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on end-of-life distress, most cited first.
Citations in the library
Cites 16
- Rapid and sustained symptom reduction following psilocybin treatment for anxiety and depression in patients with life-threatening cancer: a randomized controlled trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psychedelic Drugs: Past, Present, and Future. Neuropsychopharmacology April 26, 2017
- Acute, subacute and long-term subjective effects of psilocybin in healthy humans: a pooled analysis of experimental studies Journal of Psychopharmacology September 20, 2010
- Psychedelics not linked to mental health problems or suicidal behavior: A population study Journal of Psychopharmacology March 1, 2015
- Preparing for the Bursting of the Psychedelic Hype Bubble. JAMA Psychiatry October 1, 2022
and 11 more in the library