Psychedelic-Assisted Care for Cancer Patients and End-of-Life Support
Facing a terminal diagnosis or navigating life with cancer often brings not just physical pain, but profound emotional and existential distress. Anxiety, depression, and fear of death can be heavy burdens to carry—both for patients and their loved ones.
But a growing body of research suggests that psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, may offer meaningful relief.
In several recent clinical studies, psilocybin has shown remarkable promise in reducing end-of-life anxiety and depression. A 2023 systematic review highlighted how even a single dose of psilocybin—when paired with skilled support—can lead to rapid, sustained improvements in mood, emotional well-being, and acceptance of mortality.
This is especially true for patients with life-threatening cancer diagnoses. Landmark studies from NYU and Johns Hopkins found that psilocybin helped cancer patients experience profound reductions in anxiety and depression, with many describing the experience as one of the most meaningful of their lives. Participants reported a restored sense of purpose, inner peace, and a deeper connection to their loved ones and to life itself.
In a 2022 article from Johns Hopkins Medicine, researchers found that the effects of psychedelics mirrored near-death experiences—offering people a chance to explore mortality in a safe, supported way. This “rehearsal of death” often led to a reduction in fear, an increased sense of spiritual connection, and a softened experience of grief.
As Psychology Today explored, psilocybin-assisted care doesn't just treat symptoms—it transforms how people relate to dying. It opens emotional and spiritual doors, helping patients reconnect with meaning, dignity, and presence in their final chapters.
I’ve completed the End of Life Psychedelic Care Core Course (EOLPC), which provided foundational training in how to support individuals emotionally and spiritually at the end of life. I hold a deep respect for the threshold between life and death and the role psychedelics can play in easing that transition. My work centers on preparation, integration, and creating grounded emotional support—especially when someone is navigating uncertainty, grief, or existential fear.
End-of-life care deserves to be more than pain management. It deserves presence, softness, and a space for the full human experience. Psychedelic-assisted support offers that possibility.
