Lauren is a researcher, doctor and therapist at The Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. Justine is a death doula and psychedelic-assisted therapy guide. As part of their project, they are in conversation with researchers, ethicists, palliative care teams and other end-of-life practitioners discussing and advocating for Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy to be included as an optional treatment modality within the palliative care setting.
About their research, Justine says “Dying is a scary prospect. Fear doesn’t prevent death, it prevents a full life. Clinical research evidence has shown that the therapeutic use of psilocybin towards end-of-life can help us to be with death in a wholehearted way”.
MEET THE TEAM

Lauren Macdonald
As a western-trained medical doctor, Lauren recognises and applauds modern medicine for providing treatment of acute accidents and many diseases. Her practise acknowledges that our bodies have an innate healing response that can be facilitated – something that tends to be overlooked when pharmaceutical prescriptions or invasive procedures are the only solutions being offered. Her approach focuses on maximising the innate healing and thriving potential available to each of us by considering the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual aspects of health. Within the clinical setting her roles include researcher, doctor and therapist at The Centre for Psychedelic Research, Imperial College London. She is currently a co-therapist on clinical trials investigating psilocybin-assisted therapy for anorexia nervosa and fibromyalgia. Outside of the clinical setting, Lauren is the co-founder and facilitator at Essence Medicine, a (psilocybin-truffle) retreat facilitator, psychedelic-therapy educator and public speaker. She is passionate about holistic modalities that address all aspects of a person – body, mind, and spirit – and the way in which they work together to promote optimal health and wellbeing. She is also passionate about integrating psycho-spiritual care, including psychedelic therapies, into oncology and palliative care settings to help reduce existential and spiritual suffering and improve quality of life.
Lauren is qualified in Medicine from Brighton and Sussex University in 2013 and received my Psychology BSc from Cardiff University in 2007. She has completed additional trainings in Compassionate Inquiry, Nutrition and Environmental Medicine, Mindfulness Based Stress Reduction, Yoga, and MDMA for PTSD Therapy Training (MAPS).

Justine Topfer
Justine is a death doula and psychedelic guide. She believes that all people should experience the end of life in a way that matches their values and goals. In her role as a death doula, Justine provides support, empowerment and logistical planning for the dying and their caregivers as they navigate the emotional, practical, legal, and, spiritual issues while contemplating or nearing the end of life. Justine brings innate curiosity, generous listening and warm compassion to her work at life’s tender thresholds. She strives to be rock solid in liminal spaces and along wild edges. She brings with her years of experience in palliative care and altered states, and has a knack for delving deep and inviting confidences. In her spare time she enjoys being around fires, rambling through the high desert and having peak state experiences.