PloS one
January 1, 2025
Sarah Kratina, Carol Strike, Robert Schwartz et al.
1 citation
Psychedelic substances show growing therapeutic potential for easing psychological suffering at the end of life, yet policy remains restrictive. Existing reviews have mostly covered psilocybin for anxiety and depression, but have not adequately addressed the range of substances (ayahuasca, psilocybin, ketamine) and therapeutic approaches (psychedelics alone or with psychotherapy) used specifically in end-of-life populations. This scoping review will follow Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines to search health science databases for empirical studies on psychedelic interventions, psychological suffering, and end-of-life issues. Extracted data will cover intervention details, participant characteristics, outcomes, and theorised mechanisms to inform future care strategies.
October 27, 2023
Sarah Kratina, Christopher Lo, Robert Schwartz et al.
preprint
A scoping review protocol describes plans to comprehensively map the range of therapeutic psychedelic interventions reported in populations coping with life-threatening illness and end-of-life issues. The review will follow Arksey and O'Malley's framework and PRISMA-ScR guidelines to search for studies on psychedelic substances, psychological suffering, and end-of-life concerns. Data will be extracted on intervention details, participant characteristics, outcomes, theorized mechanisms, and sociocultural context. The insights aim to inform discussions about the role of psychedelic interventions for end-of-life populations.
Social science & medicine (1982)
February 1, 2026
Sarah Kratina, Carol Strike, Robert Schwartz et al.
A scoping review of 59 studies on six types of psychedelic substances for end-of-life psychological suffering found extraordinary variety in how these interventions are studied. Case study designs were most common. Interventions ranged from dosing alone to preparation, dosing, and integration, or dosing with psychotherapeutic support outside the tripartite model. Most studies reported challenging experiences, with many considering them therapeutic. Outcome measures spanned biopsychosocial-spiritual domains, with affective and cognitive-affective sub-domains most often assessed. Neurobiological mechanisms were reported in 54% of studies, psychological in 51%, and spiritual in 44%, indicating diverse therapeutic processes. The variability reflects an early, exploratory phase and differences in beliefs about how these interventions effect change.