The EU-funded PsyPal project, exploring the use of psilocybin in palliative care, will be launched at the European Parliament in Brussels on 9th April from 12:15 to 13:45. Hosted by MEP Cyrus Engerer, it will be held under the auspices of the MEP Interest Group on Brain Health and Neurological Conditions and the MEP Action Group for the Medical Use of Psychedelics.
The PsyPal project stands as a pioneering initiative, addressing critical gaps in palliative care by examining how psilocybin therapy might relieve the psychological distress of those with terminal conditions through a multi-site clinical trial. The following four progressive diseases will be investigated: the lung condition chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, multiple sclerosis, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, and atypical Parkinson’s disease. Being the first EU-funded trial in this domain, it marks a significant step towards the exploration of psychedelic medicines within palliative care by introducing a novel therapeutic paradigm that synergizes pharmacotherapy with psychotherapy to enhance patient outcomes. Trained clinicians will engage with patients before, during, and after the psilocybin sessions, leveraging the altered states of consciousness as a therapeutic instrument to unearth and tackle entrenched psychological issues.
PAREA is delighted to be engaged in the project’s implementation.
From the scientific underpinnings and patient experiences to the legal and regulatory landscape of psychedelic research, the launch event will offer a comprehensive exploration of the project’s objectives and its potential impact on future mental health treatments.
Event Details:
● Title: Launching PsyPal; Pioneering psilocybin-assisted therapy in palliative care
● Date: 9th April
● Time: 12:15 - 13:45 CEST
● Location: European Parliament, Brussels and online (Webex)
● Host: MEP Cyrus Engerer (Malta, S&D)
We welcome both in-person and virtual attendees. Attendance in person is limited, and your participation will be confirmed after you register due to venue capacity constraints. Register below to express your interest in attending in person or to sign up to attend the session virtually.
Background Information:
In palliative care, the psychological and existential distress faced by patients with life-limiting conditions represents a critical area of unmet need. Innovative approaches, such as psychedelic therapies, are being recognized for their potential to offer significant relief. These treatments, especially when combined with psychosocial support, have shown promise in clinical trials in delivering safe, rapid, and sustained improvements in conditions like depression and existential distress at the end of life, as well as other mental health conditions and substance use disorders.
With Australia regulating medical use of psychedelics last year and the US poised to approve its first psychedelic-assisted therapy in 2024, the global outlook is changing. In the EU, 16 clinical trials in 2023 have been investigating psychedelics for brain disorders and end-of-life distress. Additionally, the European Medicines Agency's April workshop on psychedelics highlights the EU's attention to this therapeutic area.
The partners in the research consortium are committed to upholding the highest ethical standards in clinical and research practices, as laid out in the Horizon Europe regulation. Furthermore, the consortium will adhere to any requirements or recommendations from ethics committees and regulatory authorities.
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Health and Digital Executive Agency (HADEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.