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Deconstructing Psychedelic Phenomenology: A Thematic Analysis of Discrete Phases of the Psychedelic Experience

Summary

This study examined how people describe their experiences with psychedelic drugs by analyzing personal accounts shared online. Researchers found that experiences naturally fall into three phases: preparation (where knowledge and intentions matter), the actual experience (where sensory changes, mindset, and environment shape what happens), and afterward (where lasting behavioral and attitude changes occur). The study highlights how music, nature, supportive people, and clear intentions can help guide psychedelic experiences toward positive, meaningful outcomes.

Background

Psychedelics have shown clinical efficacy for mental health conditions, but understanding how people construct meaning from these experiences remains important. Variability in responses to psychedelics complicates clinical implementation, with outcomes shaped by non-pharmacological factors such as set (mindset) and setting (environment and social context).

Objective

To identify and analyze key themes of psychedelic experiences across temporal phases (before, during, and after ingestion) using qualitative data from online forums, with particular attention to how set and setting influence experiential quality and meaning-making.

Results

Three temporal phases were identified: before experience (subjective knowledge, intention/preparation, and experiential aids); during experience (sensory/cognitive transformation, mindset/affective quality, and environmental stability/support); and after experience (behavioral and attitudinal changes). Participants with greater knowledge and intentionality, combined with supportive environments and aids like music and nature, reported more positive outcomes.

Conclusion

Set and setting components can be mapped onto discrete sequential stages of naturalistic psychedelic experiences. These findings suggest that appropriate preparation, environmental support, and integration processes may guide individuals toward eudaimonic (flourishing) experiences and psychological growth.
  • Published in:Brain and Behavior,
  • Study Type:Qualitative Research - Thematic Analysis,
  • Source: PMID: 40685956, DOI: 10.1002/brb3.70687
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