[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.
Revue Medicale Suisse
|December 20, 2023
Summary
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) offers a novel approach to managing end-of-life distress. This innovative therapy shows promise for improving quality of life in palliative care patients when conventional treatments fall short.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry and Psychology
- Palliative Care Research
- Pharmacology
Context:
- Terminal illness often causes significant depression, anxiety, and existential distress, impacting palliative care patients' quality of life.
- Conventional treatments may offer limited benefits for these complex psychological and spiritual challenges.
- Psychedelics are gaining attention as therapeutic agents for psychotherapy.
Purpose:
- To explore the potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) in addressing psychological distress in palliative care.
- To highlight PAP's role in facilitating psychospiritual change and improving patient outcomes.
- To acknowledge the growing interest and ongoing research into PAP despite existing challenges.
Summary:
- Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) involves preparation, guided substance experience, and integration to foster profound psychospiritual change.
- This therapeutic model leverages psychedelics to catalyze introspection, reflection, and spiritual exploration.
- PAP aims to provide relief and potential remission for patients experiencing severe distress related to terminal illness.
Impact:
- PAP demonstrates potential for rapid and long-lasting beneficial effects on mental health and quality of life.
- It offers a promising alternative for patients with limited response to traditional therapies.
- Further research and overcoming administrative hurdles are crucial for wider adoption of PAP in palliative care.
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