Participant experiences of therapeutic touch in psilocybin-assisted therapy
March 21, 2025 R. Ham, John Gardner, Adrian Carter et al. preprint
In a clinical trial of psilocybin-assisted therapy for generalized anxiety disorder, 18 participants provided longitudinal perspectives on therapeutic touch. Most valued touch, especially after experiencing it during psilocybin dosing sessions. Touch offered connection during intense emotions and could manage the intensity of acute psychedelic experiences. Some attributed direct therapeutic effects to touch, and a strong therapeutic relationship was essential for its effective use. The authors argue that touch application should be individualized and embedded in comprehensive consent, with further research needed on safety and therapist training.