Perceptions and Attitudes on Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy among Underrepresented People with Cancer.
Megan Miller, Molly Meyers, Candace Oglesby-Adepoju, Ronit Elk, Yvan Beaussaunt
Journal of Pain and Symptom Management September 18, 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2026.09.018 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative descriptive study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 19 |
| Population | People with cancer recruited from a comprehensive cancer center in the Midwestern United States, including Black/African American participants without a completed postsecondary degree (n=7), Black/African American participants with postsecondary degrees (n=6), and White participants without a completed postsecondary degree (n=6) |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Black/african american Psychedelics Education Equity |
| Key findings | Participants expressed nuanced views of psilocybin-assisted therapy shaped by structural, cultural, and informational factors. Perceptions ranged from viewing it as a legitimate, structured intervention to uncertainty about its usefulness, with benefit to others commonly endorsed, and participation considerations involving trust, safety, support, intersectional cultural factors, and timing. The authors argue findings highlight the importance of trust-building, culturally responsive information, and community engagement for equitable access in oncology and palliative care. |
Abstract
Psilocybin-assisted therapy (PAT) shows promise for alleviating psychological and existential distress among people with cancer; however, research is limited by homogeneous samples, raising concerns about generalizability and equity. To explore perceptions and attitudes of PAT among a subset of people with cancer who have been underrepresented in research. A qualitative descriptive study was conducted. Semi-structured interviews occurred September 2024-October 2025. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using inductive critical content analysis. Nineteen participants were recruited from a comprehensive cancer center in the Midwestern United States. The sample included Black/African American participants without a completed postsecondary degree (n=7), Black/African American participants with postsecondary degrees (n=6), and White participants without a completed postsecondary degree (n=6). Four categories were identified. (1) Perceptions of psychedelics shaped by comparisons to other substances, stigma, and mixed beliefs about benefits and risks. (2) Perceptions of PAT ranged from viewing it as a legitimate, structured intervention to uncertainty about usefulness, with benefit to others commonly endorsed. (3) Considering PAT participation involved trust in providers and systems, safety/comfort, interpersonal support, intersectional cultural considerations, and timing preferences, with some patterns differing across strata. (4) Ongoing questions and needs included accessible, culturally responsive information, representation, and clearer understanding of PAT. Participants expressed nuanced views of PAT, shaped by structural, cultural, and informational factors. Findings highlight the importance of trust-building, culturally responsive information, and community engagement to support equitable access and translation of PAT in oncology and palliative care.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients with treatment-resistant depression enrolled in an open-label trial of psilocybin | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Adults aged 22 to 69 with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |
| Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study | 2018 | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis | n = 12 |
| Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Cluster headache patients who used psilocybin or LSD | 2006 | Qualitative study | n = 53 |
| Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress Adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cites 23
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- 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
- Long-term follow-up of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for psychiatric and existential distress in patients with life-threatening cancer Journal of Psychopharmacology January 9, 2020
- Individual Experiences in Four Cancer Patients Following Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy Frontiers in Pharmacology April 3, 2018
- A Survey of American Psychiatrists' Attitudes Toward Classic Hallucinogens The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease May 17, 2018
and 18 more in the library