Fostering Nurse Engagement in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies for Patients with Serious Illness

Abstract

We applaud the findings of Beaussant and colleagues 1 in defining the research priorities for psychedelic-assisted therapies in palliative care. The innovative conceptual framework posed for integrating these therapies into extant care delivery models promotes the strategic use of psychedelic-assisted interventions capable of reaching those patients most in need. A recent scoping review of psychedelic-assisted therapies with a focus on mental health, addictions, and palliative care highlights that nursing involvement in the relevant literature is noticeably absent. 2 The invisibility of nurses and nursing in the emergent field of psychedelic-assisted therapy is an omission we call upon our colleagues in medicine to help us rectify. Our recommendations are critical to both the future of psychedelic-assisted therapies and associated patient outcomes.