Roadblocks
Could Psychedelic Medications Help with Existential Distress?
The Case
Mauri is a 75-year-old grandfather of three and retired financial analyst with advanced non–small cell lung cancer who has experienced progression of his cancer through multiple lines of anticancer treatment. He has elected to focus his medical care toward prioritizing his comfort and asks for a referral to an outpatient palliative care clinic. Mauri meets with nurse practitioner (NP) Ofori, a palliative care clinician, to discuss his physical and emotional symptoms. Mauri shares with NP Ofori that his serious illness has led him to reflect upon his life and reconsider many of his most important life experiences. He has always been a thoughtful person who read widely, appreciated contemplative meditation, and kept a journal of his daily thoughts.