Psychedelic Atmospherics
Psychedelic Intersections January 17, 2025 DOI: 10.70423/0001.03 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key points | Proposes that the concept of "psychedelic atmospherics" can help understand how materialities, spaces, and environments entangle with cosmological and cultural realities to shape psychedelic experiences. |
Abstract
The spaces where psychedelic experiences unfold are never neutral. Whether in dense forests, urban retreats, or clinical settings, these environments shape how psychedelic senses and emotions are experienced. I propose “psychedelic atmospherics” as a concept to explore the affective and perceptual experience of different settings of psychedelic usage. Psychedelic atmospherics offers a lens for understanding the entanglement of materialities, spaces, and environments with cosmological and cultural realities in catalyzing psychedelic experiences. Atmospheric elements can actively shape the psychedelic sessions by guiding, amplifying, or even challenging the visionary and affective qualities that emerge following ingestion. Recognizing the significance of these elements opens new avenues for both ethnographic inquiry and practical considerations for therapy, spirituality, and research.