Key Clinical Message
This case study describes the feasibility and safety of psychedelic-assisted
therapy
(PAT) as a home-based
intervention for a patient with throat cancer experiencing
significant existential distress. The patient tolerated the intervention well. This
case supports the feasibility and safety of PAT for patients with life-threatening
conditions in a home setting.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted
therapy (PAT), as it is practiced today, merges traditional
psychotherapeutic techniques with the use of psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin,
or MDMA with the aim of unlocking deeper insights in patients and treating
mental conditions that are resistant to other forms of therapy. The present case
study describes the safety of PAT as a home-based
intervention for a patient with
throat cancer experiencing significant existential distress. The patient tolerated
the intervention well and was asked to report on measures of anxiety, depression,
and distress related to his somatic condition. The observations provided by
this clinical case report align with previous findings, suggesting that PAT can
be safely applied to potentially provide relief from existential distress in patients
with life-threatening
conditions. As this is a single-case
study, generalizations
should be made cautiously. Moreover, placebo effects, expectancy effects, and the
natural course of the disease may influence outcomes. Future research should
consider controlled trials to ascertain the efficacy and safety of such interventions
in diverse settings.