About this episode

Dr Lauren Macdonald discusses her experiences with psilocybin and its impact on cancer-related existential distress.

In this episode, we speak to Dr Lauren Macdonald, a psychiatrist, psychedelic therapist, and group retreat facilitator. She details her path to psychedelics, in particular her cancer diagnosis that left her with existential dread that she felt fully dissipate only after a psychedelic experience. She goes on to discuss her interest in group retreats and treating existential distress. Before closing, she explains problems with the current medical model in the UK and where psychedelics fit. LINK TO THE 2026 RETURNING TO WHOLENESS RETREAT Links Psilocybin Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research Essence Medicine Psilocybin and Cancer-Related Distress ★ Support this podcast ★

People in this episode

Guest: Dr Lauren Macdonald

Topics covered

• psilocybin
• cancer
• psychedelic therapy
• existential distress
• group retreats
• medical model

Keywords

• psilocybin
• cancer
• psychedelic therapy
• existential dread
• group retreats
• UK medical model

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Imperial Centre for Psychedelic Research, Essence Medicine

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