Willingness to participate in entheogen use research in naturalistic settings
Riley D. Kirk, Olivia M. Uhley, Paloma Lehfeldt, C. Miyabe Shields, Marné Garretson, Alanna Collins, Helané Wahbeh, Stephen Dahmer
Journal of Psychedelic Studies April 27, 2023 DOI: 10.1556/2054.2022.00238 (opens in new tab)
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA survey of 84 English-speaking adults who had used entheogens in a naturalistic therapy or retreat setting in the prior five years found that nearly all (95.5%) believed entheogen research should be conducted, and 86.9% would participate in studies lasting longer than one year. More participants were willing to join remote interviews (73.5%) than in-person surveys (64.7%), and 78% said financial compensation influenced their willingness. The findings suggest that willingness to participate is not a barrier to further entheogen research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Observational pilot survey Longitudinal Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 84 |
| Population | English-speaking adults who had participated in therapy or a retreat utilizing entheogens in a naturalistic setting in the last five years |
| Key finding | Nearly all participants (95.5%) believed entheogen research should be done, and 86.9% would participate in research lasting longer than one year. |
Abstract
AbstractBackgroundEntheogen use is becoming increasingly popular and a potential option for treatment or adjuvant treatment for various medical conditions. Clinical studies are needed to determine the efficacy, safety, and possible role of these traditional medicines in the context of modern society and the Western medicine paradigm. The willingness of patients to participate in such studies is currently unknown.Materials and MethodsIn September 2021 we implemented an anonymous, observational pilot survey to determine the general public's willingness to participate in future entheogen research. All participants were English-speaking adults and had participated in therapy or a retreat utilizing entheogens in a naturalistic setting in the last five (5) years. Participants were recruited through community outreach via email.ResultsThe response rate for this data set was estimated to be 48.3% (n = 84/174). Nearly all (95.5%) participants believed this research should be done and 86.9% said they would participate in entheogen research that lasted longer than one year. A greater proportion of participants were willing to participate in remote interviews (73.5%) rather than in-person surveys (64.7%). A majority of participants (78%) also noted the importance of financial compensation for their time influencing the willingness to participate in future entheogen studies.ConclusionsThe willingness to participate in research involving traditional entheogens is not the limiting factor in facilitating further studies. Participants held overwhelmingly positive perceptions indicating that they believed this research should be done. Future longitudinal clinical studies with financial compensation and controlled set and settings will be necessary to expand the evidence base for naturalistic entheogen use.