Development of a Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP): a theory- and person-centred approach
Rosalind McAlpine, Katarina Krajnović, Maisha M. Khan, Larisa Morometescu, Otto Simonsson, Matthew D. Sacchet, Sunjeev K. Kamboj
November 22, 2023 preprint DOI: 10.31234/osf.io/9ev27 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Mixed-methods study with qualitative interviews and co-design workshops |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 47 |
| Population | Attendees of a high-dose psilocybin retreat (19 interviewed retrospectively; 28 engaged in co-design workshops during an ongoing retreat) |
| Intervention | Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP) |
| Duration | 21-day course |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Psychological intervention Intervention counseling Preparedness Medical education Mental health Applied psychology Psychotherapist Hallucinogen |
| Key findings | A co-produced 21-day digital course (DIPP) organized into four modules—Knowledge-Expectation, Psychophysical-Readiness, Safety-Planning, and Intention-Preparation—was developed to enhance psychedelic preparedness. |
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.