Development of a digital intervention for psychedelic preparation (DIPP).
Rosalind McAlpine, Matthew D. Sacchet, Otto Simonsson, Maisha M. Khan, Katarina Krajnović, Larisa Morometescu, Sunjeev K. Kamboj
Scientific Reports February 19, 2024 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-54642-4 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods study with qualitative interviews and co-design workshops Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 47 |
| Population | Past and current attendees of high-dose psilocybin retreats |
| Intervention | Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP) |
| Duration | 21-day digital course |
| Topics | Meditation Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy |
| Keywords | Digital intervention Person-centred Psychedelic preparedness Psychedelics Digital health interventions Co-designed programs Therapeutic preparation Mindfulness meditation |
| Citations | 13 |
| Key findings | A co-produced 21-day digital course (DIPP) was developed to enhance psychedelic preparedness, incorporating daily meditation, module exercises, and mood tracking. |
Abstract
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 complex interventions, the design was informed by a four-factor model of psychedelic preparedness, using a person-centred approach. Our mixed-methods investigation consisted of two studies. The first involved interviews with 19 participants who had previously attended a 'high-dose' psilocybin retreat, systematically exploring their preparation behaviours and perspectives on the proposed intervention. The second study engaged 28 attendees of an ongoing psilocybin retreat in co-design workshops, refining the intervention protocol using insights from the initial interviews. The outcome is a co-produced 21-day digital course (Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP)), that is organised into four modules: Knowledge-Expectation, Psychophysical-Readiness, Safety-Planning, and Intention-Preparation. Fundamental components of the course include daily meditation practice, supplementary exercises tied to the weekly modules, and mood tracking. DIPP provides a comprehensive and scalable solution to enhance psychedelic preparedness, aligning with the broader shift towards digital mental health interventions.