#93: Redefining Death: Kathryn Tucker on Dignity, Psychedelics & the Law

What if death was not something to fear, but a sacred passage we could prepare for with dignity, compassion, and even healing? On this episode of Beyond the Pills , we welcome Professor Kathryn Tucker, one of the nation’s most influential voices at the intersection of law, medicine, and consciousness. Together, they unravel a conversation that challenges how we view mortality, suffering, and the future of psychedelic-assisted therapy. Kathryn Tucker is a nationally recognized legal advocate, educator, and thought leader who has spent decades pioneering legal and ethical reform in palliative care and end-of-life options. She has led groundbreaking cases—including the first federal lawsuit under the Right to Try Act—championing cancer patients’ access to psilocybin-assisted therapy. She currently teaches one of the first law school seminars on psychedelic law and has been instrumental in shaping Oregon’s approach to psilocybin legislation. Her work asks the tough questions: Why do we treat dying as a medical failure instead of a natural passage? What role can psychedelics, like psilocybin, play in relieving existential distress at the end of life? And how can law, ethics, and spirituality come together to ensure that access to healing is a human right, not a privilege? This episode is both provocative and profoundly moving. Kathryn shares stories from the front lines of advocacy, lessons from her yoga and consciousness practices, and her unwavering belief that how we support people at the end of life reveals who we are as a society. Here are three powerful quotes from Kathryn that will stay with you long after the episode ends: “Dying is not a medical failure—it’s a universal passage. How we support that passage defines our humanity.” “Psychedelics are not about escaping reality—they are about meeting reality more fully, even at the end of life.” “Access to healing should never depend on privilege. It’s a basic human right, especially in our final chapter.” Through Kathryn’s lens, death is not the end—it is an invitation to deeper connection, healing, and presence. And the legal structures we build today will determine whether future generations can step into that invitation with dignity and support. If you’re ready to expand your understanding of healing, mortality, and what it means to live and die well, this episode is for you. Tune in now to Beyond the Pills for a conversation that weaves law, medicine, and spirit into a new vision for end-of-life care. Learn more about Kathryn L. Tucker, JD kathryn@yournpa.org https://www.linkedin.com/in/kathrynlt/ National Psychedelics Association (the NPA) https://yournpa.org/ https://yournpa.org/blog/ Learn more about her upcoming retreat!