The concept of set and setting—non-pharmacological factors like mindset and environment that shape psychedelic experiences—has seen little theoretical development since its mid-20th-century popularization. Bridging set and setting theory with social psychology and sociology of medicine, this review argues that race contributes to both set and setting. Psychosocial factors that drive racial differences in mental health also create meaningful differences in set, while the character of race relations in the United States provides a distinct cultural setting for racialized users, whether in therapy or naturalistic contexts. Racial identification may thus influence how psychedelic experiences are framed and interpreted, with implications for clinical protocols, practitioner education, and diverse patient needs.
Public interest in psychedelics and adult use has grown alongside research into their clinical potential. A landscape analysis of online, publicly available information identified 298 organizations offering psychedelic retreats to English-speaking consumers between July and December 2023. Most organizations focused on general wellness rather than religious identity. Ayahuasca was the most commonly offered substance, followed by psilocybin and San Pedro. Retreats were held at 440 distinct physical locations worldwide, with 130 inside the United States and 310 outside. Prices varied widely. Further research into retreat practices is recommended to reduce harm and support consumer education.
People who use psychedelic drugs rely on socially defined frameworks of understanding to make sense of their experiences and integrate them into everyday reality. Drawing on social-phenomenology, cognitive sociology, and set-and-setting theory, this analysis examines over 200 narrative reports from 100 individuals collected between 1960 and 1964 as part of the Harvard Psilocybin Project. The accounts describe experiences with psilocybin, mescaline, and LSD. The work proceeds in three phases: describing the quality of the psychedelic experience, identifying how individuals integrate it into daily life, and outlining what these experiences reveal about the social construction of everyday reality in the United States. The aim is to demystify psychedelic experiences and generate more useful ways of thinking about psychoactive substances.