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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)

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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.

Comparable studies

Other qualitative studies on psilocybin and meditation, most cited first.

Study Year Design Participants
Participant Reports of Mindfulness, Posttraumatic Growth, and Social Connectedness in Psilocybin-Assisted Group Therapy: An Interpretive Phenomenological Analysis Gay-identified cisgender men with HIV diagnosed before 1996 and clinically significant... 2021 Qualitative study, interpretive phenomenological analysis n = 9
Altered states of leadership: mindfulness meditation, psychedelic use, and leadership development. Adults in the US and UK with a management position as their primary work role 2023 Cross-sectional survey with quantitative and qualitative analyses n = 3,150
Sense-Making Around Psilocybin in UK Women Experiencing Cancer-Related Existential Distress: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Females in the United Kingdom with a current or previous diagnosis of cancer 2026 Qualitative study n = 7

Citations in the library

Cited by 2

Cites 14

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Meditation Psilocybin Psychedelic-assisted therapy Altered states of consciousness Philosophy of mind

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Psilocybin and meditation Psilocybin and psychedelic-assisted therapy