Dr Marg Ross: At the Edge of Life: Psychedelics and Facing Our Mortality

In this episode of Beyond the Trip, we're joined by Dr Marg Ross, clinical psychologist and Chief Principal Investigator of Australia's first psychedelic-assisted therapy trial exploring the use of psilocybin for end-of-life distress. Marg has been at the forefront of developing psychedelic-assisted therapy in Australia, helping to train therapists and medical professionals both nationally and internationally in the use of psilocybin-assisted therapy and in the psychosocial aspects of palliative care. Her work sits at the intersection of clinical science, existential psychology, and cultural approaches to death and dying. Together, we explore Marg's groundbreaking research into psilocybin-assisted therapy for people facing life-limiting illness and what this work is revealing about the human experience of mortality. Rather than focusing solely on symptom reduction, psychedelic therapy at the end of life often opens a deeper process of transformation—helping people reconnect with meaning, process fear, and approach death with greater peace. We also speak candidly about the personal and professional realities of working in this space. Marg reflects on how confronting mortality—both through research and through our own lives—can shape the way we understand healing, presence, and care. In this conversation we explore: · The story behind Australia's first psychedelic-assisted therapy trial for end-of-life distress · What patients report after psilocybin therapy when facing life-limiting illness · Why psychedelic therapy in palliative care is often about transformation rather than symptom reduction · Cultural and ritual perspectives on death, dying, and altered states of consciousness · The intersection between Indigenous healing traditions and contemporary medical approaches · Therapist burnout and the importance of sustainable ways of working in emotionally demanding fields · How coming face to face with mortality helped shape both our personal lives and our professional work This episode is part of our special series exploring psychedelic-assisted therapy in end-of-life care and grief, where we speak with researchers and clinicians working at the edges of medicine, psychology, and the human experience of dying. Keep in touch with me at Beyond the Trip Podcast available anywhere you listen to Podcasts:- https://open.spotify.com/show/5g1sms2EXq72NW64nVQhzC?si=ff3548af32e84bf6 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@BeyondtheTrippodcast Insta: dresmedark Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-esme-dark-627156a0/ Website: https://www.esmedarkpsychology.com.au/ Find Dr Marg Ross at https://www.studioimmersivetherapy.com.au/ Disclaimer: This Podcast is for general information only and does noy constitute an endorsement or recommendation for psychedelic assisted psychotherapy