How psychedelics can transform end-of-life care
More than two dozen other states and the U.S. House of Representatives are also grappling with their own versions of psychedelic legislation… the end of life is not only a universal experience, we also know it’s one where psychedelic medicines can spur a massive paradigm shift in how we provide care.
The human body and brain undergo a series of profound changes over the course of dying. Some of these, like elevated anxiety and agitation, can be difficult for the patient, family members, and caregivers. In the most extreme cases, our only recourse as health care providers is palliative sedation, which… is essentially putting a person into an induced coma through to their death. This option can be a heartbreaking loss for the patient and family members who are deprived of any more meaningful interaction and can also cause tremendous moral distress for the clinicians involved. Having more therapeutic options available that can significantly reduce end-of-life distress without numbing or sedating the patient would be absolutely transformative…
Original Article (Slate):
How psychedelics can transform end-of-life care
Artwork Fair Use: Roop Gursahani, Makarand Dambhare
