Psychedelics in the age of reproducibility: Reflections on aura, set and setting and the medicalization of mystical-type experiences.
Guy Simon, Nir Tadmor, Demian Halperin
The International journal on drug policy 2026 DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105074 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Topics | Psychedelic-assisted therapy Mystical experience |
| Keywords | Medicalization Naturalistic psychedelic use Set and setting Therapeutic authenticity Walter benjamin's aura |
| Citations | 2 |
| Key points | Argues that the medicalization of psychedelics risks losing their "aura" and transformative potential, and proposes integrating traditional context with clinical approaches to preserve it. |
Abstract
Psychedelics induce transformative experiences leading to lasting changes in attitudes and behaviour, with outcomes depending on both pharmacological factors and the context of the experience ('set and setting'), marking a paradigm shift in mental health treatment. As psychedelics transition from traditional contexts to clinical settings, tension emerges between authenticity and standardization. This article uses Walter Benjamin's concept of "aura" (The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction) to examine what may be lost or gained when psychedelic experiences are removed from original contexts and reproduced in institutional settings. We explore how set and setting contribute to authenticity, analyse medicalization's implications, examine the roles of ritual and commodification, and propose ways to integrate traditional context with clinical approaches to preserve psychedelics' transformative potential.