Question 1

Background

Accepted Answer

Contemporary trials of psychedelics for depression and anxiety associated with cancer have produced very promising results, demonstrating the safety and efficacy of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy (PAP) as an intervention to reduce psychological and existential distress associated with life threatening conditions. However, despite its remarkable benefits, PAP’s implementation in the right conditions and on a large scale is costly and may not be an appropriate treatment option for all patients, particularly those who are already in a very advanced stage of disease progression.

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Our research has demonstrated the benefits of microdosing for mood, vitality and pain management, suggesting a strong potential to significantly and positively impact quality of life in people receiving palliative care, who often suffer from demoralisation, anxiety, apathy and lack of life enjoyment (anhedonia).

Question 2

Study objectives

Accepted Answer

The objective of this study is to investigate the efficacy of supplementation with natural psilocybin (or LSD) in palliative care patients, with a focus on wellbeing and quality-of-life, as well as other relevant mental and physical health measures.

Question 3

Methods

Accepted Answer

Only people receiving palliative care and satisfying the inclusion/exclusion criteria will be eligible for this study. Baseline, daily, weekly and monthly assessments will be carried out, sometimes in person but often remotely via a microdosing research app, for as long as participants are willing to take part in the study.  Physiological measurements will be collected at the clinic once a week during the controlled study phase, and less frequently in the observational study. These visits will provide the opportunity for personal interaction with the research team at the clinic, and for participants to receive further advice and complementary services, such as yoga, breathing exercises, and meditation.

Question 4

Collaborators

Accepted Answer

Dr Dingle Spence

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Amanda is collaborating on this project with Dr Dingle Spence (BSc, MBBS, Dip. Pall. Med., FRCR), Senior Medical Officer of the Hope Institute - a small cancer centre offering inpatient and outpatient oncology treatment and palliative care in Kingston - as Principal Investigator, and with the Jamaica Cancer Care and Research Institute (JACCRI).

Psychedelic use in palliative care

A Beckley / Jamaica Collaboration

Evaluating the effects of psychedelic microdosing in palliative care