Skip to content

Journal of Psychedelic Studies

ISSN 2559-9283

232 papers in the library · 2,809 citations · publishing 2017-2026

Papers

Sort Most recent Most cited

Participant experiences of icaros (Amazonian curative songs) during a traditional medicine ceremony at the Takiwasi Center, Peru

Journal of Psychedelic Studies May 15, 2025 Marc Sherwin, Fabio Friso, Jörg Fachner et al. 4 citations

Abstract Musico-healing practices play a key role in indigenous and mestizo traditional medicine in the Amazon. The curative songs or icaros used by the curanderos (traditional healers) of the Peruvian Upper Amazon are administered alongside the psychoactive plant decoction ayahuasca in ritual settings. This Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis examines musical experiences of 6 participants...

A primer for culturally attuned psychedelic clinical trials

Journal of Psychedelic Studies May 15, 2025 Terence H. W. Ching, Benjamin Kelmendi 4 citations

AbstractBackgroundThere is a need to systemically diversify psychedelic clinical trials, considering the growing interest in in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics within Black, Indigenous, and Peoples of Color (BIPOC) and queer communities. Doing so contributes to a more inclusive foundation of evidence-based research and addresses ethical considerations surrounding anticipated demand...

Music and non-music approaches in psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy: The sound of silence

Journal of Psychedelic Studies May 15, 2025 Sara G. Gloeckler, Julien Thibault Lévesque, Alexandre Lehmann et al. 3 citations

Abstract Music is integral to Psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy (PAP), believed to enhance therapeutic outcomes by structuring experiences and facilitating emotional expression. However, the effects of conducting PAP without music are underexplored. This study examines the experiences of two breast cancer patients undergoing psilocybin therapy under Canada's compassionate access program,...

Cornutopia: A short story and what it can tell us about ethnic minority views on psychedelic research, and the potential impact on clinical outcomes

Journal of Psychedelic Studies May 13, 2025 Caroline Hayes

Abstract The fictional story, Cornutopia , by British-Nigerian author Irenosen Okojie, offers a critical outsider's perspective on the enthusiasm surrounding psychedelic research, notably from outside the small world of psychedelic research. The protagonist, Amel Dyani, a young Black woman, participates in a psychedelic clinical trial but has a negative experience. This article aims to analyse...

A systematic review of psychedelic use and its relationship with meaning and purpose in life

Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 25, 2025 Przemysław Rupiński, Weronika Drabek, Paweł Holas 2 citations

Abstract Background and Aims This systematic review examines the association between psychedelic use and enhanced life purpose and meaning, as assessed by the Meaning in Life Questionnaire (MLQ) and the Purpose in Life Scale (PILS). Interest in psychedelics' therapeutic potential has grown, with some studies suggesting that these substances encourage meaningful psychological insights that...

Exploring the perceived usefulness of integration support after naturalistic psychedelic experiences in people concerned about their substance use: A survey

Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 22, 2025 Sophie van der Helder, Krista J. Siefried, Liam Acheson et al. 1 citation

Improved outcomes for substance use disorders have been described following non-clinical (“naturalistic”) psychedelic use. This exploratory study aimed to describe the naturalistic psychedelic experiences of people with substance use concerns and their reported needs and perceived utility of psychosocial support following naturalistic psychedelic use to integrate experiences and achieve...

Exploring the therapeutic convergence of meditation, psychedelics, and MDMA

Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 17, 2025 Jacob T. Dines

AbstractBackground and aimsPsychedelic and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy are at the forefront of new treatment models for mental illnesses such as PTSD and depression, as well as improving well-being. Mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness meditation have also gained research traction, showing promise for enhancing emotional regulation and psychological well-being. This paper explores the...

Successful treatment of intractable MDMA adverse reactions using acupuncture and traditional Chinese medicine

Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 2, 2025 Hope Kronman, Alison Locker, Abdi Assadi et al.

Abstract Psychedelic treatments like MDMA can sometimes have side effects which persist despite management with Western medical approaches. In what follows, we present a case study of an individual who suffered from insomnia, anxiety, tinnitus, and more for months following MDMA therapy. Ultimately, her symptoms responded to management within the Traditional Chinese Medicine framework. We...

Integration or commodification? A critical review of individual-centered approaches in psychedelic healing

Journal of Psychedelic Studies February 26, 2025 Emilia Sanabria, Luís Fernando Tófoli 9 citations

Abstract In this article, we provide a genealogy of the concept of integration and a discussion of the multiplicity of practices it encompasses in the field of psychedelic medicine. Reflecting on our observations of psychedelic integration practices, we make three key observations. The first is that integration services tend to focus on the individual, at the expense of considering how societal...

Psilocybin mushroom stewardship: A qualitative inquiry into practices and priorities of “underground” psilocybin mushroom practitioners

Journal of Psychedelic Studies February 5, 2025 Shannon Hughes, Lucia Terpak, Reilly Capps et al. 2 citations

Abstract Background and Aims Networks of so-called underground, or illegal, psilocybin mushroom practitioners are popularly known to exist, though few systematic investigations of their practices have been conducted. We sought to uncover the experiences of a hidden community of psilocybin practitioners in order to inform scientific and policy dialogues about safe and effective practices in this...

Preliminary results from a community-based ayahuasca-assisted mental health program among a Yaqui Indigenous population in Sonora, Mexico

Journal of Psychedelic Studies January 24, 2025 Cecile Giovannetti, Anja Loizaga-Velder, Ricardo Campoy Gomez et al. 5 citations

Abstract Background The Yaqui Intercultural Medicine Clinic was established in 2020 to provide accessible, culturally-attuned treatment for substance use and mental health disorders among an Indigenous Yaqui community in Mexico. The treatment program integrates ayahuasca ceremonies and psychotherapeutic support within a community-based outpatient treatment service. This observational pilot...

Experiential dimension of psilocybin-assisted therapy training: Necessity or hindrance to wider accessibility?

Journal of Psychedelic Studies January 21, 2025 Louis Plourde, Sue-Ling Chang, Houman Farzin et al. 1 citation

Abstract The discussion surrounding the necessity of acquiring personal experience of non-ordinary states of consciousness in the course of psilocybin-assisted therapy training is crucial, as it can affect treatment safety, effectiveness and accessibility. As such, the ethical and practical issues associated with such a training standard require timely consideration in jurisdictions where this...

Integration of personal psychedelic experiences into clinical practice: A phenomenological study in mental health professionals

Journal of Psychedelic Studies January 15, 2025 Nir Tadmor, Demian Halperin, Guy Simon 6 citations

While psychedelic substances are extensively studied through the lens of various academic disciplines, their impact on the therapeutic practice of mental health professionals is yet to be explored. This firsthand experience is deemed crucial for effectively assisting patients in the process of integrating a psychedelic experience.The aim of this study was to explore the psychological and...

The mindful use of psychiatric medication: Report from the Tel Aviv Psychoactive Clinic Project and a proposed model for psychiatric care

Journal of Psychedelic Studies January 15, 2025 Ido Hartogsohn, Yaron Yavelberg, Omry Ben Ezra

Abstract Background and aims The recent resurgence of psychedelic research has led to increased interest in extra-pharmacological factors shaping drug effects (set and setting). Habitually discussed in the context of psychedelic therapy, the relevance of set and setting to determining the outcome of non-psychedelic psychiatric interventions receives strong theoretical and empirical support in...

Navigating the mainstreaming of psychedelics

Journal of Psychedelic Studies 2025 Beatriz Caiuby Labate, Henrique Fernandes Antunes, Jamie Beachy et al. 6 citations

Abstract This article critically addresses one of the most pressing questions of the current moment of the psychedelic wave: Is mainstreaming psychedelics a good thing? Our aim is not to provide a simple “yes” or “no” as an answer but to explore the tensions, controversies, disparities, inequalities, and risks that have risen in the last decades. We discuss the limits of psychedelic science as...

The taming of the shrooms. Understanding current discursive struggles over the psychedelic in the light of their historical antecedents

Journal of Psychedelic Studies December 5, 2024 Thomas Slunecko 1 citation

Abstract As the changeful history of psychedelic research and therapy since the 1950s can be assumed to be well enough known to this journal's audience, it is only recalled briefly in this article. Rarely has it been addressed, though, that the discursive struggles through which this history has been spawned have antecedents in much older controversies in the 18th and 19th centuries. As...

An investigation into the varieties of extended difficulties following psychedelic drug use: Duration, severity and helpful coping strategies

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...

“The mushroom was more alive and vibrant”: Patient reports of synthetic versus organic forms of psilocybin

Journal of Psychedelic Studies October 29, 2024 Pamela Kryskow, Paul Stamets, Joseph T. la Torre et al. 4 citations

Abstract Interest in psychedelic research in the West is surging, however, clinical trials have almost exclusively studied synthetic compounds such as MDMA, ketamine, DMT, LSD, ibogaine, and psilocybin. To date, few clinical trials have utilized whole mushroom/plant material like Psilocybe mushrooms, Iboga, or Ayahuasca. Individuals participating in the Roots To Thrive Psilocybin-Assisted...

Memory, trauma, and self: Remembering and recovering from sexual abuse in psychedelic-assisted therapy

Journal of Psychedelic Studies October 9, 2024 Jarrett Robert Rose 13 citations

Abstract Background and Aims This article examines the therapeutic potential of psilocybin in addressing Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder as the result of sexual abuse. PTSD is a prevalent form of mental distress resistant to most conventional treatment methods. Methods Through an in-depth analysis of the narratives of two individuals with longstanding, treatment-resistant mental health...

Personal and social connection to psychedelics is associated with lower drug use stigma among psychiatrists in the United States

Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 17, 2024 Adam W. Levin, Aryan Sarparast, Paul Nagib et al.

This study sought to identify patterns of psychedelic use among American psychiatrists, to compare the demographic variables across categories of social proximity and personal use, and to determine how these categories influenced psychiatrists' attitudes towards drugs and people who use drugs.Respondents (N = 180; mean age = 48.4 [SD = 16.2]; male = 65.5%; trainees = 24.1%) were recruited via...

Change in occupational burnout measures in emergency medical service workers after a psychedelic experience induced by a single self-administered dose of psilocybin mushrooms

Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 9, 2024 Ana Ferreira, Sharon Martindale, David Luke

Abstract Background and Aims This naturalistic mixed methods field study, aimed to assess the potential of a psilocybin induced experience, to help Emergency Medical Service Workers (EMSW) to address psychological and stress related symptoms stemming from a challenging working environment, known to contribute to occupational burnout (OB). Methods This exploration was conducted with an...

Psychedelics and psychoanalysis: The journey from talking cure to transformation

Journal of Psychedelic Studies August 21, 2024 J. H. Lichtenstein, Nicholas Hoeh 5 citations

Abstract There is a developing dialogue between the psychoanalytic and psychedelic fields of psychotherapy. This paper contributes to this emerging collaboration by applying Winnicott's concept of transitional experience to psychedelic clinical work. By analyzing two Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) cases, we explore in depth how transitional experience facilitates psychedelic...

Psychedelic use and psychological flexibility: The role of meaningful intention and decentering

Journal of Psychedelic Studies August 16, 2024 William M. Campo, Ann Marie Yali 10 citations

Abstract Background Psychedelic use and its impact on well-being is garnering a lot of research attention, however, little has been done to understand the potential associations between multiple characteristics of the psychedelic experience and psychological flexibility (PF), which encompasses a conscious awareness of thoughts and behavior, allowing individuals to adapt to new experiences and...

Christ returns from the jungle: Ayahuasca religion as mystical healing

Journal of Psychedelic Studies August 16, 2024 Bonnie Glass‐coffin 1 citation

Christ Returns from the Jungle is an anthropological inquiry into the recent expansion from South America to Europe of the ayahuasca-based Santo Daime New Religious Movement (NRM).In it, the author addresses important research questions that could be used as a model for the study of all globalizing NRM's.These include the following: Who are the Europeans that choose to join this movement and...

Experiences of psychedelic drug use among people with psychotic symptoms and disorders: Personal growth and mystical experiences

Journal of Psychedelic Studies July 31, 2024 Joseph T. la Torre, Jade Gallo, Mehdi Mahammadli et al. 6 citations

Individuals with a history of psychotic experiences and disorders such as schizophrenia, and mood disorders with psychotic features tend to be excluded from psychedelic-assisted therapy research and treatment programs, despite minimal research demonstrating heightened risk of adverse effects for this group. Participants (n = 100) were asked to complete an online, retrospective survey that asked...