Deconstructing Psychedelic Phenomenology: A Thematic Analysis of Discrete Phases of the Psychedelic Experience.
Brain and behavior July 1, 2025 H T McGovern, L Bajo, G Hassed et al. 1 citation
People who discuss psychedelic experiences on online forums describe them in a sequential structure: what happens before, during, and after ingestion. Before the experience, they mention their existing knowledge and perceptions of psychedelics, their intentions and mental preparation, and aids they use to support the experience. During the experience, they report sensory and cognitive distortions, their mindset and emotional state, and the stability and support of their environment. Afterward, they describe how the experience changed their behavior and outlook. The analysis suggests that set and setting should be studied across all three stages, not just the acute phase.