Canada's evolving attitudes toward psychedelic interventions in palliative and end-of-life care reflect a departure from historically prohibitionist policies and an emerging recognition of their therapeutic potential for individuals facing end-of-life distress. This shift parallels international regulatory developments in jurisdictions such as the United States, Australia and parts of Europe,...
BMC MedicineJuly 6, 2026Hannah Adler, Rebecca Filipic, Dr Maria Gonzalez et al.
BACKGROUND: Existential distress is commonly experienced by people with cancer, yet there are limited treatment options. The therapeutic potential for psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) utilising psilocybin for this cohort is underexplored, with emerging literature showing clinical improvements in wellbeing. In Australia there is limited knowledge on healthcare professionals' (HCPs') attitudes,...
Self-referential processing (SRP), the mental activity of linking experiences and stimuli to the self, is fundamental to shaping identity, regulating affect, and navigating complex social environments. Disruptions in SRP are increasingly recognized as a transdiagnostic hallmark across psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia spectrum disorders, major depressive disorder, and anxiety...
Abstract Despite growing interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, research investigating the psychotherapeutic components is lacking. This leaves unanswered questions regarding the psychotherapy's necessity and form. This observational study addresses this gap by measuring the outcomes of a psilocybin truffle retreat, followed by the outcomes of two psychotherapy interventions that...
There is growing interest in psychedelic compounds such as psilocybin, 3,4-metheylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD), and dimethyltryptamine (DMT) given emerging research on potential uses as treatments for a variety of health conditions. The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has granted multiple “Breakthrough Therapy” designations to various...
Background: Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) remains difficult to treat; a substantial proportion of patients do not respond to first-line trauma-focused psychotherapy or to sertraline and paroxetine. 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a synthetic substituted amphetamine classified as an entactogen, has been studied for more than two decades as a pharmacological adjunct to...
ABSTRACT Posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that can develop following exposure to a traumatic event, often with persistent anxiety and depressive symptoms. Recent research suggests the microbiome-gut-brain axis may play an important role in the etiology and pathophysiology of PTSD. At the same time, retreats incorporating psychedelic-assisted therapies have...
Background Racism and discrimination are pervasive social determinants of health, yet mainstream mental health care often fails to address the psychological sequelae of racial trauma, or race-based traumatic stress (RBTS). While psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) has re-entered the scientific mainstream, empirical guidance for culturally attuned, integrative care is limited. This study explores...
Background Integration — the ongoing process of revisiting, making sense of, and incorporating the content of a psychedelic experience into daily life — is a core component of psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT), but is variably operationalised and poorly reported in clinical research. Objective To map how integration is described, delivered, and reported in clinical studies of classic...
Clinical trials with psychedelics face several challenges that are not present to such a degree with other pharmacotherapeutics. Psychedelic therapies often include a significant therapeutic container, including preparatory and integrative psychotherapy, along with supportive intervention during dosing sessions. All these are likely to have an effect on the outcomes. Additionally, the influence...