Irremediable Psychiatric Suffering, a Potential Indication for Psilocybin Treatment

What is it about?

For some patients with severe and persistent mental illness (SPMI) that does not respond to any treatment, the suffering from their psychiatric condition can be unbearable and irremediable to the extent that they might consider euthanasia or assisted suicide . At present, there are no approved treatments available for this group of patients. In parallel, we witness an increased interest in psychedelic treatment. The psychedelic experience may also have an application in treatment of SPMI patients that consider euthanasia or assisted suicide for unbearable and irremediable psychiatric suffering. We argue that psychedelic treatment, such as that with psilocybin, should be investigated as an option of last resort for this category of patients.

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