A scoping review of variations in psychedelic interventions for psychological suffering associated with the end of life.
Sarah Kratina, Carol Strike, Robert Schwartz, Ayah Nayfeh, Sydney Jopling, Chris Lo, Brian Rush
Social Science & Medicine February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2025.118536 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Scoping review Case report Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Populations coping with psychological suffering associated with life-threatening illness and the end of life |
| Topics | End-of-life distress Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | End of life Life-threatening illness Psychedelics Psychological suffering Scoping review |
| Key findings | There is extraordinary variety in how psychedelics are studied to address psychological suffering associated with end-of-life concerns, reflecting an early and exploratory phase and differences in beliefs about therapeutic mechanisms. |
Abstract
Psychedelic substances are recognized for their potential to ease psychological suffering linked to end-of-life issues, yet policy remains restrictive. The wide range of both substances and therapeutic approaches used in end-of-life populations has not been adequately covered by reviews to date. To identify and learn from the variety that exists within the research on therapeutic psychedelic interventions reported in populations coping with psychological suffering associated with life-threatening illness and the end of life itself. Following Arksey and O'Malley's (2005) framework for scoping reviews, updated methodological guidance, and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews guideline, data extracted from selected studies covered intervention details, substances used, participant characteristics, measured outcomes, and theorized mechanisms. Fifty-nine studies on six types of psychedelic substances for end-of-life issues were identified, with case study designs most common. Interventions were categorized into dosing alone, preparation/dosing/integration, and dosing with any psychotherapeutic support not provided within the tripartite model. Most studies reported challenging experiences, with a large proportion considering them therapeutic. Outcome measures spanned biopsychosocial-spiritual domains, with affective and cognitive-affective sub-domains most often assessed; neurobiological mechanisms were reported in 54 % of studies, psychological in 51 %, and spiritual in 44 %, indicating diverse therapeutic processes. There is extraordinary variety in how psychedelics are studied to address the experience of psychological suffering associated with end-of-life concerns. The variability in psychedelic research reflects an early and exploratory phase, differences in beliefs about how therapeutic psychedelic interventions effect change, and the genuine richness in possibilities for therapeutic psychedelic interventions.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on 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 | |
| Psychedelic medicines for end-of-life care: Pipeline clinical trial review 2022. People with terminal illnesses experiencing depression, anxiety, or existential distress | 2023 | Scoping review | n = 25 |
| Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for existential distress: practical considerations for therapeutic application—a review | 2024 | Narrative review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
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and 70 more in the library