Psychedelics for Cancer Pain and Associated Psychological Distress: A Narrative Review of a Potential Strategy
Erika Belitzky, Lis Victoria Ravani Carvalho, Melissa Taylor, Cristina Naranjo Ortiz, Laura Baum, David A Fiellin, Maryam B Lustberg
Cancer Medicine March 1, 2025 DOI: 10.1002/cam4.70586 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Review Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Population | Patients with cancer and comorbidities such as anxiety or depression |
| Topics | LSD Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Cancer anxiety Cancer pain Cancer‐related distress Psychedelics hallucinogens Entheogens Cancer treatment oncology Cancer therapy Cancer care Emotional health Anxiety relief |
| Citations | 5 |
| Key findings | Psychedelics are under consideration as new pharmacologic strategies for mitigating cancer pain and associated psychological distress, with early results promising but additional research needed. |
Abstract
ABSTRACT Purpose To evaluate the current level of evidence for the use of psychedelics for the management of cancer pain and associated psychological distress. Content Pain is a common symptom of cancer and treatment. However, there are high rates of undertreatment of cancer pain due to the complex underlying biology of the condition, and potentially due to a decrease in opioid prescribing in response to the opioid epidemic. A diagnosis of cancer and cancer‐related pain can trigger high levels of psychological distress throughout cancer treatment. Cancer pain can also be exacerbated by anxiety, depression, quality of life challenges, and fear of death and dying, as well as by fear of recurrence or progression. Several pharmacologic and non‐pharmacologic approaches have been utilized to mitigate pain and symptom burden with some success. However, there remains an unmet need for better management of cancer pain and associated symptoms. Psychedelics, such as lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), psilocybin, mescaline, and N , N ‐dimethyltryptamine (DMT), are under consideration as new pharmacologic strategies for mitigating pain and the distress associated with cancer pain and associated symptom burden. Although published studies are limited, regulatory hurdles have decreased. Many clinical trials are underway to assess further the use of psychedelics and behavioral counseling for patients with cancer and comorbidities such as anxiety or depression. These studies examine both the feasibility and efficacy of psychedelics for pain and psychological distress. Early results are promising, and additional research is needed to understand efficacy and tolerability in broader cancer populations. Implications There is an unmet need to improve pain management in patients with cancer and to mitigate psychological distress. Further research is required to understand the efficacy of psychedelics for the treatment of cancer pain and distress. Recent regulatory changes have paved the way for increased research on the clinical efficacy of psychedelics in cancer.
Comparable studies
Other narrative reviews on LSD, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study of a New Schizophrenomimetic Drug—Sernyl | 1959 | Review | |
| Classic psychedelics: An integrative review of epidemiology, therapeutics, mystical experience, and brain network function. General population | 2019 | Integrative review | |
| The Pharmacology of Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: A Review | 2008 | Review | |
| Serotonin research: contributions to understanding psychoses | 2008 | Review | |
| ADVERSE REACTIONS TO PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS. A REVIEW OF THE LITERATURE | 1984 | Review |
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Psychedelic-Assisted Interventions in Palliative Care: A Narrative Overview and Critical Evaluation. Healthcare June 2, 2026
- A Protocol for the Use of Psychedelics in Jungian Psychoanalysis 1 Journal of Analytical Psychology May 10, 2026
- Psychedelic-assisted therapies for existential and spiritual suffering in palliative care. Progress in Brain Research 2025
Cites 35
- 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
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psychedelics as Medicines: An Emerging New Paradigm Clinical Pharmacology & Therapeutics November 4, 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
and 30 more in the library