Jennifer Bires: The use of psychedelics in patients with cancer and other serious illness
Jennifer Bires, Executive Director of Life with Cancer and Patient Experience for the Inova Schar Cancer Institute, shared an article on LinkedIn:
“My first solo article has just been published!
“Existing evidence for the use of psychedelics in patients with cancer and other serious illness: A narrative review”
For patients facing a serious illness—especially near the end of life—the emotional burden can be just as profound as the physical one. Depression, anxiety, and existential distress are often present, yet treatment options remain limited. We need more than what’s currently available. We need therapies that are safe, compassionate, and effective.
This narrative review explores the emerging evidence around psychedelic-assisted therapy for patients with cancer and other life-limiting conditions.
While the studies are still early, they’re pointing toward something powerful.
One quote that captures the heart of this work:
“While larger sample trials are needed, these early findings portend well for the substantial proportion of people with serious life-threatening illnesses that are often accompanied by a high rate of psychological distress whose symptoms are not well controlled through conventional pharmacological interventions.”
I’m incredibly hopeful about what this means—not just for patients, but also for caregivers and clinicians striving to provide holistic, meaningful care.
I’d love to connect with others working in or curious about this space—especially those integrating novel approaches into palliative or oncology care.
What are you seeing in your clinical work around end-of-life mental health? How do you approach existential distress in your patients?
Link to the full article is in the comments.”
Existing evidence for the use of psychedelics in patients with cancer and other serious illness: A narrative review.
Authors: Jennifer Bires, et al.
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