Mindfulness
August 15, 2026
Rosalind McAlpine, Merve Utanğaç, Joanna Kuć et al.
Abstract Objectives Emerging research suggests that meditation may support more beneficial psychedelic experiences while reducing the likelihood of lasting negative effects, yet its specific preparatory benefits remain underexplored. This study aimed to investigate the perceived utility of meditation as a preparatory tool for enhancing positive outcomes and reducing negative effects during...
PLoS One
June 18, 2026
Elisa Liberati, Hv Curran, Peter Fonagy et al.
INTRODUCTION: Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA)-assisted psychotherapy (MDMA-AP) is a potentially transformative intervention for post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Despite encouraging Phase III trial results, the psychological mechanisms underpinning MDMA's therapeutic effects remain insufficiently understood. Existing research on MDMA has emphasised neurobiological processes but has...
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England)
May 23, 2026
Joanna Kuć, Rosalind McAlpine, Amelia Sellers et al.
5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT), a potent, short-acting psychedelic, induces profound shifts in cognition, affect, and self-awareness. Because language explicitly expresses these domains and voice implicitly conveys them, both may serve as potential 'biomarkers' of behavioural change. This study introduces a novel framework for analysing baseline language and vocal features, pre-...
BMJ Open
March 12, 2026
Rosalind McAlpine, Magdalena Jaglinska, Krisztina Jedlovszky et al.
Psychedelic-assisted therapy shows promise for treating various mental health conditions; however, its reliance on intensive psychological preparation limits its broader application. Digital health interventions have the potential to address this limitation by providing structured, accessible and scalable preparation solutions. This randomised controlled feasibility trial aims to evaluate the...
Cell Reports
July 22, 2025
George Blackburne, Rosalind McAlpine, Marco S. Fabus et al.
10 citations
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychedelic drug known for its uniquely profound effects on consciousness; however, it remains unknown how it affects the brain. We collected electroencephalography (EEG) data of 29 healthy individuals before and after inhaling a high dose (12-mg) of vaporized synthetic 5-MeO-DMT. We replicate results from rodents showing amplified low-frequency...
Nature Medicine
June 3, 2025
Chloé Pronovost-Morgan, Kyle T. Greenway, Leor Roseman et al.
26 citations
Psychedelic substances exhibit complex interactions with the 'set and setting' of use, that is, the mental state of the user and the environment in which a psychedelic experience takes place. Despite these contextual variables' known importance, psychedelic research has lacked methodological rigor in reporting extra-pharmacological factors. This study aimed to generate consensus-based...
bioRxiv
April 21, 2025
Joanna Kuć, Rosalind McAlpine, Amelia Sellers et al.
preprint
Abstract 5-MeO-DMT, a potent, short-acting psychedelic, induces profound shifts in cognition, affect, and self-awareness. Because language explicitly expresses these domains and voice implicitly conveys them, both may serve as potential ‘biomarkers’ of behavioural change. This study introduces a novel framework for analysing baseline language and vocal features, pre- to post-psychedelic...
February 6, 2025
Rosalind McAlpine, Merve Utanğaç, Joanna Kuć et al.
2 citations
preprint
The potential of meditation as a preparatory tool for psychedelic experiences lacks empirical investigation. We surveyed experienced practitioners (N=123) with substantial histories in both meditation and psychedelic use to examine meditation’s role in psychedelic preparation. Respondents expected meditation training to primarily enhance acceptance and present-moment focus during psychedelic...
PLoS One
2025
Eirini K. Argyri, Jules Evans, David Luke et al.
27 citations
Psychedelic induced mystical experiences have been largely assumed to drive the therapeutic effects of these substances, which may in part be mediated by changes in metaphysical beliefs. However, there is growing evidence that psychedelic experiences can also trigger long lasting distress. Studies of persisting difficulties suggest a high prevalence of ontological challenges (related to the way...
Journal of Psychedelic Studies
December 3, 2024
Oliver Robinson, J. Evans, Rosalind McAlpine et al.
21 citations
Psychedelic drugs show promising therapeutic potential; however, some users experience extended difficulties following their use. This study investigated the prevalence, severity, duration, and associated coping strategies of post-psychedelic difficulties. We conducted an online survey of 159 participants, all of whom reported experiencing difficulties lasting more than one day after...
Scientific Reports
November 21, 2024
Maximillian J. Wood, Rosalind McAlpine, Sunjeev K. Kamboj
Psychedelic substances are garnering renewed interest for their potential therapeutic applications, yet the mechanisms by which challenging experiences during psychedelic use contribute to positive outcomes remains poorly understood. Here we present a mixed-methods investigation into the strategies individuals employ to navigate difficult psychedelic experiences and their relationship to...
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
October 7, 2024
George Blackburne, Rosalind McAlpine, Marco S. Fabus et al.
8 citations
preprint
Abstract 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a psychedelic drug known for its uniquely profound effects on subjective experience, reliably eradicating the perception of time, space, and the self. However, little is known about how this drug alters large-scale brain activity. We collected naturalistic electroencephalography (EEG) data of 29 healthy individuals before and after...
Frontiers in Psychology
May 28, 2024
Oliver Robinson, Jules Evans, David Luke et al.
24 citations
Introduction A growing body of literature is investigating the difficulties that some individuals encounter after psychedelic experiences. Existing research has explored the nature and predictors of these difficulties; however, a research gap exists in understanding how individuals endeavour to cope with such difficulties. Methods The current study collected data from an international cohort of...
Scientific Reports
February 19, 2024
Rosalind McAlpine, Matthew D. Sacchet, Otto Simonsson et al.
13 citations
Psychedelic substances induce profound alterations in consciousness. Careful preparation is therefore essential to limit adverse reactions, enhance therapeutic benefits, and maintain user safety. This paper describes the development of a self-directed, digital intervention for psychedelic preparation. Drawing on elements from the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing...
February 9, 2024
Rosalind McAlpine, George Blackburne
3 citations
preprint
This paper examines the potential of group psychedelic therapies in addressing suicidality, particularly in the context of social disconnectedness. With suicide recognised as a complex issue influenced by multiple factors, including a lack of social connectedness, this research explores the use of psychedelics in group settings as a novel approach to enhance social connectedness and potentially...
Scientific Reports
February 8, 2024
Rosalind McAlpine, George Blackburne, Sunjeev K. Kamboj
24 citations
Preparing participants for psychedelic experiences is crucial for ensuring these experiences are safe and, potentially beneficial. However, there is currently no validated measure to assess the extent to which participants are well-prepared for such experiences. Our study aimed to address this gap by developing, validating, and testing the Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS). Using a novel...
November 22, 2023
Rosalind McAlpine, Katarina Krajnović, Maisha M. Khan et al.
preprint
Psychedelic substances induce profound alterations in consciousness. Careful preparation is therefore essential to limit adverse reactions, enhance therapeutic benefits, and maintain user safety. This paper describes the development of a self-directed, digital intervention for psychedelic preparation. Drawing on elements from the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) framework for developing...
PLoS One
October 24, 2023
Jules Evans, Oliver Robinson, Eirini K. Argyri et al.
166 citations
Long-term adverse experiences following psychedelic use can persist for weeks, months, or even years, and are relatively unexplored in psychedelic research. Our convergent mixed-method study gained quantitative and qualitative data from 608 participants who reported extended difficulties following psychedelic experiences. Data was gathered on the context of use, the nature and duration of the...
Jeremy I Skipper, Christopher Timmermann, Rosalind McAlpine et al.
Consciousness is often studied by asking whether particular brain regions or systems are privileged. We tested a distributed, decentred and context-sensitive alternative using 579 consciousness-focused neuroimaging studies. Semantic clustering of titles and abstracts identified seven domains whose corrected meta-analytic maps showed limited overlap and no invariant cross-domain core. These maps...