Psychedelics for Cancer Pain and Associated Psychological Distress: A Narrative Review of a Potential Strategy
Cancer Medicine March 1, 2025 Erika Belitzky, Lis Victoria Ravani Carvalho, Melissa Taylor et al. 5 citations
Pain is a common symptom of cancer and its treatment, yet it is often undertreated due to complex biology and reduced opioid prescribing. Cancer diagnosis and pain can trigger high levels of psychological distress, including anxiety, depression, and fear of death or recurrence. Psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, mescaline, and DMT are being investigated as new strategies to manage both cancer pain and associated distress. Although published studies are limited, regulatory hurdles have decreased, and many clinical trials are underway. Early results are promising, but further research is needed to understand efficacy and tolerability in broader cancer populations.