Medical Study Reveals Strong Support for Psychedelic Therapies in Palliative Care

A new study reveals 88% of palliative doctors support researching psychedelics like LSD and MDMA to help terminally ill patients manage end-of-life distress.

By: AXL Media

Published: Apr 13, 2026, 3:45 AM EDT

Source: RNZ Pacific

Broad Medical Support for Psychedelic Research

The study surveyed 93 palliative care doctors, finding that an overwhelming 88 percent agree that the clinical use of psychedelics for palliative patients warrants further investigation. Furthermore, 75 percent of the participants disagreed with the notion that these substances are inherently unsafe or should remain prohibited for medical purposes. The data suggests that younger medical professionals are particularly optimistic, showing a higher likelihood of believing that substances like psilocybin and LSD could significantly improve clinical outcomes for those in the final stages of life.

Clinical Trials and the Role of MDMA

Active research is already underway in the region, specifically focusing on the efficacy of MDMA for patients with terminal cancer. Auckland University Associate Professor David Menkes noted that early trials have provided "strong hints" that MDMA can be remarkably helpful for individuals struggling with the psychological weight of a terminal prognosis. By facilitating a more manageable and tolerable emotional journey, these therapies aim to address the profound existential distress often associated with end-of-life care that traditional sedatives may not fully alleviate.

A Potential Alternative to Assisted Dying

One of the most significant implications of this research is its potential impact on New Zealand’s assisted dying framework. Professor Menkes suggested that effective psychedelic therapy could provide an alternative for patients who might otherwise choose medically assisted dying due to "intolerable" psychological suffering. By relieving the mental burden of a terminal illness, patients may elect to spend more meaningful time with their families, potentially reducing the number of people who feel forced to hasten their end-of-life timeline.