Psilocybin therapy faces palliative care
A Canadian survey finds most palliative care professionals favor psilocybin therapy for end-of-life distress but feel ill-informed and cite a shortage of
A majority of Canadian palliative care professionals favor using psilocybin-assisted therapy, but fewer than half feel well-informed about its risks and benefits. This finding comes from a survey of over 120 doctors, other health professionals, caregivers, and administrators in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia, published in Palliative Medicine in August 2026. According to the study's lead researcher, psychiatrist Dr. Nicolas Garel of the CHUM hospital and Université de Montréal, the main obstacle to clinical use is a shortage of adequately trained professionals, not access to the drug itself.
Dr. Garel stated that the receptiveness among clinicians highlights the limitations of current treatments for end-of-life distress. "Despite advances in medicine and psychotherapy, some people do not respond well to conventional approaches," he said. "Psychedelic therapies seem to hold promise for addressing needs that are not currently being met." The source, a report from the University of Montreal, notes that a previous study by the same research group found more than 60% of the Canadian public also favors this type of therapy.
Potential benefits and neurological effects
Psilocybin-assisted therapy combines the psychedelic drug with structured psychotherapeutic support. In palliative care, research shows it can reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety. Dr. Garel explained that the therapy may help alleviate existential distress, the feeling of loss of meaning or despair in those facing incurable illness.
Qualitative studies suggest these therapies may promote greater acceptance of illness and the end of life. Some participants reported reconciling the idea of death with being alive in the present, or experiencing a heightened sense of connection. For others, the experience can be difficult, stirring up fear, anxiety, or traumatic memories.
At a neurological level, psilocybin temporarily alters communication between brain regions and is believed to boost neural plasticity. This transient flexibility may help patients break free from rigid thought patterns, potentially making psychotherapy more effective. Research suggests these brain changes could last several days or weeks after administration.
The critical need for training
The path to clinical adoption is challenging. Psilocybin-assisted therapy requires specific skills in psychotherapy and managing psychological reactions during the experience. Canada currently has no standardized training program or recognized certification for this therapy.
Developing specialized university training programs is the next critical step, according to Dr. Garel. Some U.S. universities have already begun incorporating this content into psychiatry programs. The researcher believes scientific and public momentum is unlikely to reverse, and that these therapies will eventually earn a place in the therapeutic arsenal for treatment-resistant suffering.
"This doesn't mean they'll be a miracle cure or suitable for everyone," Garel cautioned. He concluded that the question is no longer whether to consider using them, but how to do it safely, rigorously, and equitably.
