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 January 1, 2026 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/j.drugpo.2025.105074 via PubMed
Summary
Psychedelics can lead to significant changes in attitudes and behavior, influenced by both their pharmacological effects and the context of use, known as 'set and setting.' As these substances move from traditional settings to clinical environments, there is a tension between maintaining authenticity and adhering to standardized practices. The article discusses how this transition affects the transformative potential of psychedelics and suggests ways to integrate traditional contexts into clinical approaches.
Study at a glance
| Key finding | The transition of psychedelics from traditional to clinical settings raises concerns about losing authenticity while potentially standardizing treatment. |
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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.