Psilocybin Therapy in Palliative Care | An EOLWA Update 

The landscape of psychedelic-assisted therapies, particularly psilocybin, is undergoing significant transformation, especially in the context of palliative care. End of Life Washington (EOLWA) has advocated for the inclusion of psilocybin as a therapeutic treatment for seriously ill patients. Research and experiences emphasize the relief it can offer in alleviating distress and suffering[1].

Psilocybin is a psychoactive substance found in certain mushrooms and has been used for generations by indigenous communities across the globe to enhance perception, cognition, emotion, and spirituality[2].   The current public interest in and research into psilocybin rests on the shoulders of thousands of years of indigenous cultural use and practice, bringing with it inequities and ethical questions. Indigenous leaders are asking for a larger role in decisions, training, and applications for psilocybin as they are being excluded from spaces that are utilizing their knowledge.  (continued)