Do you have advanced cancer and experience anxiety, depression and/or distress?
We are conducting a research study to find out whether patients with a diagnosis of advanced cancer see a new psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, PEARL, as useful. The results of this study will help inform the type of therapy and support services that are helpful for patients with cancer.
What is Psilocybin-assisted Existential, Attachment and RelationaL (PEARL) therapy?
PEARL therapy is a psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy designed to help patients with advanced cancer manage the challenges of living with cancer, reduce death-related and other forms of distress, and promote well-being. It incorporates a psilocybin session embedded within individual psychotherapy.
Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance originally found in certain types of mushrooms that can change the way people feel, think and perceive the world around them and their inner world.
What does this research study involve?
- Screening tests to determine eligibility including psychological and in-person medical tests and blood collection
- If you are eligible, over the course of 5-6 months, you will participate in:
- 8 psychotherapy sessions (1 psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy session)
- Study questionnaires
- Follow-up interviews
- The study involves in-person, virtual visits and phone calls from the study team
For more information, please contact the study coordinator at 416 340 4800 ext. 8051# or cindy.chan@uhn.ca. Please note that email is not considered a secure form of communication. Please do not communicate personal sensitive information via email.
REB# 21-5781
