Oncology Providers' Perspectives on Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy.
Krishna Hanubal, Akul Munjal, Jino Park, Rufus Banks, Esther Y Choi, Michael A Hoyt, Jessica N Humphreys, Mona Mojtahedzadeh, Jeremy P Harris
The American journal of hospice & palliative care August 28, 2026 DOI: 10.1177/10499091261483604 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 385 |
| Population | Healthcare professionals involved in oncology across academic and nonacademic institutions, including members of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine |
| Topics | Ketamine MDMA Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Antidepressants Hallucinogens Mental health disorders Oncology Psychedelics |
| Key findings | Most oncology providers (80%) felt uncomfortable counseling patients on psychedelic-assisted therapy, and only 44% were familiar with its legal status. Willingness to recommend PAT was linked to familiarity with emerging data, knowledge of legal/regulatory status, and prior patient inquiry, but not to age, specialty, or other demographics. |
Abstract
PurposeDespite most psychedelic substances remaining Schedule I, clinical research exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) in oncology is expanding. We sought to assess oncology providers' attitudes toward and understanding of PAT.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional survey of healthcare professionals involved in oncology across five academic institutions in California, South Carolina, and Florida, and one nonacademic institution in Georgia. The survey was also distributed to 4500 members of the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. Items assessed demographics, familiarity and concerns regarding psychedelic medications, and willingness to recommend PAT based on case-based scenarios.ResultsOf 5084 surveyed, 385 responded (8% response rate). Most respondents (85%) were palliative care physicians. Only 44% were familiar with the legal and regulatory status of psychedelic agents. While 49% had received patient inquiries about PAT, 80% did not feel comfortable counseling patients on its use. Primary concerns included unknown drug interactions with cancer therapies and safety in the setting of oncologic comorbidities. Factors encouraging future PAT adoption included increased education and access to experienced treatment centers. On multivariate analysis, willingness to recommend PAT was associated with familiarity with emerging PAT data, knowledge of the legal and regulatory status of psychedelics, and prior patient inquiry about PAT. Provider age, specialty, and other clinicodemographic factors were not significant predictors.ConclusionMany oncology providers report patient interest in PAT but lack confidence to counsel them. Findings underscore the need for targeted provider education and further clinical research to support informed decision-making about PAT in oncology.
In the evidence
This study is part of the evidence base for 4 syntheses in the library. Here is how each one recorded it.
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80% of oncology providers did not feel comfortable counseling patients on psychedelic-assisted therapy and only 44% were familiar with its legal status, though willingness to recommend it was linked to familiarity with emerging data.
Synthesized
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Most oncology providers (80%) were uncomfortable counseling patients on psychedelic-assisted therapy and only 44% were familiar with its legal status; willingness to recommend it was linked to familiarity with emerging data and legal knowledge.
Synthesized
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Most oncology providers (80%) did not feel comfortable counseling patients on psychedelic-assisted therapy, and only 44% were familiar with its legal status.
Synthesized
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State of the evidence: MDMA Unclear
Most oncology providers felt uncomfortable counseling patients on psychedelic-assisted therapy, and willingness to recommend was linked to familiarity with emerging data and legal status.
Synthesized
Comparable studies
Other cross-sectional and survey studies on psychedelic-assisted therapy, most cited first.