Psychedelics in Palliative Care

Psychedelic medicines are experiencing a resurgence in medical research for treating symptoms in palliative care and addiction medicine. This book gathers palliative physicians, therapists, researchers, spiritual guides, and entrepreneurs to examine eight major psychedelic medications, covering their history, cultural significance, science, and legal status. Each drug shows promise for alleviating pain, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and existential distress, particularly in patients with terminal illness, debilitating chronic illness, or addiction. These substances, rarely studied until recently, are now considered among the most interesting drugs on the horizon.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract This is the first book to explore the use of psychedelic medicines in palliative care and addiction medicine. Bringing together a diverse team of palliative physicians, therapists, researchers, spiritual guides, and entrepreneurs, the book explores the history, cultural significance, science, and legal status of eight major psychedelic medications. Each medication holds fascinating promise for treatment of symptoms such as pain, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder, and existential distress, making them some of the most interesting drugs on the horizon currently. These are drugs that were rarely studied until quite recently, and they are currently undergoing a renaissance in medical research and development. They hold huge potential for treatment of the symptoms experienced in those with terminal illness, debilitating chronic illness, and addiction.