Facing Death With Psychedelics

25:00

May 16, 2012

One gram of psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in hallucinogenic mushrooms, is seen on a scale at New York University in New York. (AP Photo/Seth Wenig)

We all hope we'd be filled with grace and serenity when facing death at the end of a long struggle with a terminal illness. But for many, it is a moment of anxiety, fear and potential psychological trauma. Now, science is turning its interest back to the potential healing power of psychedelic drugs to alleviate end-of-life anxiety.

"The thinking is that with the aid of the psychedelic... it may help bring back memories; it promotes introspection, it can be a touchstone, it can be grounding," said Dr. John Halpern, a researcher who has used MDMA - also known as ecsatasy - to help relieve end-of-life stresses in two cancer patients.

We'll talk with Dr. Halpern about the state of the science of psychedelics, and what it says over all about how Americans approach end-of-life care.

Guest:

Dr. John Halpern, head of the Laboratory for Integrative Psychiatry at McLean Hospital

More:

New York Times: How Psychedelic Drugs Can Help Patients Face Death
Radio Boston: Mother Goes To Extremes To Prevent Daughter's End Of Life Suffering

This segment aired on May 16, 2012.