Manifest Your Desires: Psychedelics and the Self-Help Industry
Patric Plesa, Rotem Petranker
April 13, 2022 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/ke4q8 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Parallels Harm Decriminalization Mental health Profit economics Public relations |
| Citations | 3 |
| Key points | Proposes that the emerging psychedelic industry parallels the self-help industry in its potential for overstated claims and for-profit exploitation, and offers guidelines for responsible research, therapy, and policy. |
Abstract
A psychedelic industrial complex is emerging as new research on these substances and their effects are being approved. These substances show promise, but much remains unknown about their potential for both benefit and harm. Despite the paucity of reliable mechanistic evidence, some entrepreneurs have already begun to market psychedelic advice. We draw on some critiques of the self-help industry to propose potential parallels in the psychedelic industry. Overstated claims, cultural lore, for-profit organizations, and spiritual gurus come with the territory of both industries aimed at selling solutions for mental health disorders. We offer some guidelines for responsible research, therapy, and policy to temper these concerns, focusing on evidence-based practices, decriminalization, and rigorous therapist training.
Citations in the library
Cited by 3
- Beyond the psychedelic hype: Exploring the persistence of the neoliberal paradigm Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 21, 2023
- Integration or commodification? A critical review of individual-centered approaches in psychedelic healing Journal of Psychedelic Studies February 26, 2025
- TESCREAL hallucinations: Psychedelic and AI hype as inequality engines Journal of Psychedelic Studies September 25, 2023
Cites 17
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Psychedelics and the essential importance of context. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 15, 2018
- Adverse effects of psychedelics: From anecdotes and misinformation to systematic science. Journal of Psychopharmacology February 2, 2022
- The Therapeutic Potential of Psilocybin Molecules May 15, 2021
- Efficacy, tolerability, and safety of serotonergic psychedelics for the management of mood, anxiety, and substance-use disorders: a systematic review of systematic reviews Expert Review of Clinical Pharmacology August 13, 2018
and 12 more in the library