An Occupational Perspective on Psychedelic Therapy: A Scoping Review
- Author: mycolabadmin
- 2/20/2024
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Summary
This review examines how psychedelic therapy affects people’s daily lives and overall health from an occupational therapy perspective. Using interviews from nine studies, researchers found that people using psychedelics for mental health reported becoming more mindful and engaged in meaningful activities, better understanding themselves, increased motivation for positive change, and stronger connections with others and nature. The findings suggest psychedelic-assisted therapy can be understood as a meaningful occupation that enhances participation in everyday life rather than a harmful activity.
Background
Interest in psychedelics for mental health therapy is increasing after a research hiatus from the early 1970s to 2000s. Despite historical use across cultures for healing, psychedelics remain largely absent from Western mental health approaches. An occupational perspective may provide valuable insights into how psychedelic use impacts everyday life and health.
Objective
To conduct a scoping review of qualitative literature on psychedelic use for mental health therapy through an occupational lens, employing Wilcock’s Occupational Perspective of Health (OPH) framework examining doing, being, becoming, and belonging.
Results
Nine qualitative studies were included examining psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, ibogaine, and ayahuasca use. Despite heterogeneous contexts, participants reported comparable benefits: increased mindfulness and autonomy in doing, renewed sense of being, greater motivation to grow and become, and improved connection and belonging. Participants experienced meaningful occupational engagement and lifestyle changes.
Conclusion
Psychedelic use in mental health contexts can be understood as a meaningful occupation contributing to overall health. An occupational perspective helps de-stigmatize psychedelics as meaningful occupations rather than deviant ones and illuminates how they enhance participation in everyday life and improve health outcomes.
- Published in:Canadian Journal of Occupational Therapy,
- Study Type:Scoping Review,
- Source: PMID: 38377676