Palliadelic: A neologism that refers to the use of psychedelics in hospice and palliative care settings
Jaime Andrés Vinasco Barco, Ana Cláudia Mesquita Garcia
Progress in Palliative Care April 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/09699260.2025.2484066 (opens in new tab) via Semantic Scholar
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe article introduces the neologism 'palliadelic' to describe the use of psychedelic substances in palliative care to address psychological, spiritual, and existential suffering in patients with serious or incurable illnesses or at the end of life. It traces the history of psychedelic use in medicine from the 1950s and 1960s to the current renaissance, arguing that this term legitimizes a growing field and advances research, clinical practice, and public policy. The authors conclude that adopting 'palliadelic' can increase visibility and integration of psychedelics in palliative care, contributing to humanized care and reduced suffering.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Historical and conceptual review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Medicine Philosophy Psychology |
| Key finding | Proposes that the neologism 'palliadelic' can legitimate and advance the use of psychedelics in palliative care, contributing to humanization and reduction of suffering at the end of life. |
Abstract
This article discusses the neologism ‘palliadelic’ to designate the use of psychedelics in palliative care (PC) settings. Combining the concepts of ‘palliative’ and ‘psychedelic’, the term aims to describe interventions that use psychedelic substances to alleviate the psychological, spiritual, and existential suffering of patients with serious or incurable illnesses, or at the end of life. Based on a historical and conceptual review, the text addresses the evolution of the use of psychedelics in medical and cultural settings, highlighting their applications in PC from the pioneering studies conducted in the 1950s and 1960s to the current psychedelic renaissance. In addition, it discusses the conceptual foundations of ‘palliative’ and ‘psychedelic’, emphasizing the importance of terminology for the consolidation of emerging fields in science. It is argued that the use of the neologism ‘palliative’ not only legitimates a growing body of knowledge, but also promotes advancements in research, clinical practice, and public policies directed toward compassionate and innovative care at the end of life. It is concluded that the adoption of ‘palliadelic’ as a core concept can increase the visibility and integration of the therapeutic use of psychedelics in PC, contributing to the humanization of care and the reduction of suffering in end-of-life settings.