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Psychedelic-assisted therapy for palliative care within a home treatment setting: A case report

Summary

A 54-year-old man with terminal throat cancer received a single dose of LSD (100 μg) as part of psychedelic-assisted therapy delivered at his home. The treatment helped him experience relief from existential distress and feelings of peace. Six months later, he was in better psychological health, more motivated to pursue meaningful activities, and had discontinued pain medications while maintaining stability. This case demonstrates that psychedelic therapy can be safely administered at home for patients with life-threatening illnesses seeking existential relief.

Background

Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) merges traditional psychotherapy with psychedelics such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA to treat psychiatric disorders and existential distress. Patients with advanced cancer and other life-threatening conditions often experience profound psychological and existential distress that is resistant to conventional treatments. This case explores PAT delivered in a home setting for a patient with terminal throat cancer.

Objective

To describe the feasibility and safety of psychedelic-assisted therapy as a home-based intervention for a patient with throat cancer experiencing significant existential distress and to detail the therapeutic process, outcomes, and potential implications for future applications in similar contexts.

Results

The patient tolerated the LSD intervention well with no adverse complications. He reported experiencing feelings of ecstasy, peace, emotional amplification, and relief from existential distress during the session. Integration sessions showed improved mood, better communication, and increased energy. Six months post-treatment, the patient demonstrated improved motivation for meaningful life activities, greater autonomy in medical decision-making, and discontinued morphine use and cancer treatments while maintaining psychological stability.

Conclusion

This case study demonstrates the safety and feasibility of psychedelic-assisted therapy delivered in a home treatment setting for patients with life-threatening illnesses. The home environment provided comfort and enabled family support, potentially enhancing therapeutic outcomes. Future controlled trials are needed to systematically evaluate PAT efficacy and safety in diverse settings and patient populations.
  • Published in:Clinical Case Reports,
  • Study Type:Case Report,
  • Source: PMID: 39219779, DOI: 10.1002/ccr3.9305
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