Anthony P. Bossis, PhD, is a clinical psychologist and clinical assistant professor of psychiatry at NYU School of Medicine conducting FDA-approved clinical research with the psychedelic compound psilocybin. Dr. Bossis was director of palliative care research and co-principal investigator on the landmark 2016 clinical trial demonstrating a significant reduction in emotional distress from a single psilocybin-generated mystical experience in persons with cancer, specifically, a rapid decrease in depression, anxiety, hopelessness, and demoralization along with improvements in spiritual well-being and quality of life. Dr. Bossis is also study director and lead session guide on the FDA-approved clinical trial evaluating psilocybin-generated mystical experience upon religious leaders. Subjective features of a mystical experience include unity, sacredness, transcendence, and a greater connection to deeply felt emotions including that of love. Dr. Bossis is a training supervisor of psychotherapy at NYU-Bellevue Hospital Center and co-founder of the Bellevue Hospital Palliative Care Service. Dr. Bossis is a guest editor (with Charles Grob, MD) on a special series on psychedelics for the Journal of Humanistic Psychology and has authored numerous publications on the utility of psychedelics in palliative care and end-of-life existential distress. He has a long-standing interest in the interface of psychology and spirituality and maintains a private psychotherapy and consulting practice in NYC.
