Participant Experiences of Therapeutic Touch in Psilocybin-Assisted Therapy.
Rachel Ham, John Gardner, Adrian Carter, Paul Liknaitzky
Brain and Behavior February 1, 2026 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.71262 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Qualitative study Randomized Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 18 |
| Population | Participants from a randomized clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Citations | 1 |
| Key findings | Therapeutic touch may support emotional safety and affect regulation during acute psychedelic states, with acceptability linked to the quality of the therapeutic relationship and consent processes. |
Abstract
Although commonly used in psychedelic-assisted therapy, the role of therapeutic touch remains loosely defined and ethically sensitive. Gaining insight into how participants experience and interpret touch during psychedelic sessions is essential for informing safe and effective clinical practice. Participants were sampled from a large randomized clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy that permitted protocol-defined supportive touch. Longitudinal qualitative data (39 semi-structured interviews) were analyzed from n = 18 participants. Interviews covered expectations, experiences, and reflections on the use of touch during acute psychedelic states, before and after dosing. Thematic analysis was used to identify major themes. Participants expressed varied preferences and responses to therapeutic touch. Most valued its availability, particularly after firsthand experience, describing its capacity to foster emotional connection, provide grounding during intense affective states, and modulate the depth of psychedelic experience. Several reported perceiving therapeutic benefit directly attributable to touch. Acceptability was consistently linked to the quality of the therapeutic relationship and robust consent processes. Some participants also identified potential for discomfort or distraction, underscoring the need for sensitivity to individual history and context. Therapeutic touch may support emotional safety and affect regulation during acute psychedelic states. Findings highlight the importance of explicit preparation, consent, and attunement when incorporating touch into psychedelic therapy. Further research should inform therapist training, individualized consent frameworks, and safety protocols to guide ethical and effective use in clinical practice.
Comparable studies
Other qualitative studies on psilocybin, most cited first.
| Study | Year | Design | Participants |
|---|---|---|---|
| Patients’ Accounts of Increased “Connectedness” and “Acceptance” After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant Depression Patients with treatment-resistant depression enrolled in an open-label trial of psilocybin | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 20 |
| Patient Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy: An Interpretative Phenomenological Analysis Adults aged 22 to 69 with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study | n = 13 |
| Psychedelic therapy for smoking cessation: Qualitative analysis of participant accounts Participants who completed a psilocybin-facilitated smoking cessation pilot study | 2018 | Qualitative follow-up study using semi-structured interviews and thematic analysis | n = 12 |
| Response of cluster headache to psilocybin and LSD Cluster headache patients who used psilocybin or LSD | 2006 | Qualitative study | n = 53 |
| Cancer at the Dinner Table: Experiences of Psilocybin-Assisted Psychotherapy for the Treatment of Cancer-Related Distress Adult participants with clinically elevated anxiety associated with a cancer diagnosis | 2017 | Qualitative study using interpretative phenomenological analysis | n = 13 |
Citations in the library
Cited by 2
Cites 25
- Psilocybin produces substantial and sustained decreases in depression and anxiety in patients with life-threatening cancer: A randomized double-blind trial Journal of Psychopharmacology November 30, 2016
- Trial of Psilocybin versus Escitalopram for Depression New England Journal of Medicine April 14, 2021
- Human hallucinogen research: guidelines for safety. Journal of Psychopharmacology July 1, 2008
- Safety, Tolerability, and Efficacy of Psilocybin in 9 Patients With Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder The Journal of Clinical Psychiatry November 15, 2006
- Psilocybin-Occasioned Mystical Experiences in the Treatment of Tobacco Addiction Current Drug Abuse Reviews January 9, 2015
and 20 more in the library