Feb 12, 2026

Psychedelic Oncology – Can Psychedelics Offer Support for Cancer Patients?

Sandy Newes
Category: Podcasts
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Jason Konner, MD

Jason Konner, MD, is the Co‑founder of Psychedelic Oncology, an initiative exploring the intersection of psychedelic‑assisted healing and cancer care. As a medical oncologist, he spent over two decades treating patients at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center. Dr. Konner integrates relational and existential support into oncology to expand clinicians’ understanding of how these therapies might ease existential distress in people facing serious illness.

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Here’s a glimpse of what you’ll learn:

  • [2:53] Jason Konner, MD, shares his personal experience with cancer and how it shaped his path into oncology
  • [6:47] How psychedelics can address existential distress in cancer patients
  • [15:30] How psychedelics helped Dr. Konner face his fear of death and grow as a doctor
  • [17:32] Psychedelic Oncology’s mission and its focus on holistic cancer care
  • [25:15] The need for psychedelic literacy among medical professionals
  • [28:52] Potential pitfalls of psychedelic treatment in the medical system
  • [33:00] The importance of community for patients and providers in psychedelic oncology
  • [39:29] Addressing moral injury in healthcare providers and how psychedelics can heal burnout
  • [47:07] Dr. Konner discusses the downsides of psychedelics
  • [49:56] The role of trauma-informed care in psychedelic and oncology settings

In this episode…

Cancer care is not just about fighting the disease — it’s about addressing the profound emotional and existential challenges patients face. How can healthcare providers support patients’ mental and emotional needs while navigating these difficult journeys? 

According to psychedelic oncologist Dr. Jason Konner, psychedelics, particularly psilocybin, can offer profound emotional relief to cancer patients by helping them address existential distress — something often overlooked in traditional oncology care. He emphasizes the importance of self-care for healthcare providers, suggesting that personal experiences with psychedelics can help combat burnout and improve the quality of care. By focusing on emotional and spiritual healing, doctors can support their patients through difficult diagnoses.

In this episode of Living Medicine, Dr. Sandy Newes sits down with Jason Konner, MD, Co-founder of Psychedelic Oncology, to discuss the intersection of oncology and psychedelics. Dr. Konner explains how psychedelics help cancer patients confront existential fears, the need for psychedelic literacy among healthcare providers, and how providers can avoid burnout through personal healing practices.

Resources mentioned in this episode:

Quotable Moments:

  • “I realized I hadn’t had a two-week vacation in over 12 years.”
  • “I thought this was the most extraordinary thing. I mean, I just never thought there was any way out.”
  • “Hallucinations can be a good thing… In allopathic medicine, we generally see hallucinations as toxicity, side effects.”
  • “The war on cancer narrative has been really damaging for the most part.”
  • “You shouldn’t need a family member to tell you to start talking about death.”

Action Steps:

  1. Encourage open conversations about existential distress: Allowing patients to discuss their fears and anxieties about death openly can help reduce emotional suffering. This approach fosters a deeper understanding of their mental health, improving overall care.
  2. Integrate psychedelics into cancer care discussions: Exploring the therapeutic potential of psychedelics can provide patients with a new tool for managing existential pain. This shift in approach can lead to more holistic, compassionate care that goes beyond just physical treatments.
  3. Promote psychedelic literacy among healthcare providers: Educating medical professionals on the potential benefits and risks of psychedelics can enhance their understanding and improve patient outcomes. It ensures that providers are equipped to offer informed guidance when integrating these therapies into treatment plans.
  4. Support healthcare providers’ well-being: Encourage providers to address their own emotional and mental health challenges to reduce burnout. This enables them to engage more authentically with patients, ultimately improving patient care and enhancing their professional satisfaction.
  5. Create supportive, community-based spaces for patients: Establishing groups where patients can share their experiences creates a sense of belonging and reduces isolation. These spaces can provide comfort and validation, enhancing the emotional and psychological healing process.

Sponsor for this episode…

This episode is brought to you by the Living Medicine Institute.

LMI is a training, resource, and membership program educating providers about the legal and safe use of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy.

To learn more or participate, visit https://livingmedicineinstitute.com.

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