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James B. Close

Imperial College London

2 papers in the library · 64 citations · publishing 2021

Papers

Self-Medication for Chronic Pain Using Classic Psychedelics: A Qualitative Investigation to Inform Future Research

Frontiers in Psychiatry November 12, 2021 Julia Bornemann, James B. Close, Meg J. Spriggs et al. 43 citations

Eleven individuals with chronic pain who self-medicate with psychedelic drugs described their experiences in a group discussion. Pain scores improved substantially during and after psychedelic experiences across a range of substances and doses. Two processes—Positive Reframing and Somatic Presence—were reliably identified as contributing to improvements in mental wellbeing, relationship with pain, and physical (dis)comfort. Additional strategies such as mindfulness, breathwork, and movement were also widely reported. The authors note that due to the subjective nature of the data, no claims on causality or generalisability can be made. These results will inform the design of a forthcoming controlled trial testing psychedelic therapy for chronic pain.

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.735427 Mindfulness Chronic pain Cognitive reframing Medicine +5

Co-design of Guidance for Patient and Public Involvement in Psychedelic Research

Frontiers in Psychiatry September 30, 2021 James B. Close, Julia Bornemann, Maria Piggin et al. 21 citations

A co-designed guide for patient and public involvement (PPI) in psychedelic research addresses the lack of field-specific frameworks. Core values—trust, learning, purpose, and inclusivity—emerged from a workshop with public collaborators. The guidance aims to help researchers plan, evaluate, and improve PPI so that research is done with and by the public rather than on them, strengthening accountability and relevance as the field grows.

DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2021.727496 Psychology Medicine