[Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy in palliative medicine]
Amandine Schaller1,2, Géraldine Bourquin1,3, Indira Amorim Araujo1
1La Chrysalide, Service de soins palliatifs, Département de gériatrie, réadaptation et soins palliatifs, Réseau hospitalier neuchâtelois, 2300 La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Abstract:
Depression, anxiety and existential distress associated with terminal illness have a major impact on quality of life among palliative care patients. Psychedelics are emerging as catalysts for reflective, introspective and sometimes spiritual exploration as part of psychotherapy, with potentially rapid and long-lasting multiple beneficial effects. Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) combines preparation, substance intake, and integration of experiences to facilitate profound psychospiritual change. Despite methodological and administrative hurdles, interest in this innovative approach continues to grow because of its potential to offer remission where conventional approaches have shown little benefits.
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