Are You Tripping Comfortably? Investigating the Relationship Between Harm Reduction and the Psychedelic experience
Research Square (Research Square) March 21, 2022 Maddie Palmer, Olivia Maynard 4 citations
People who use psychedelics recreationally employ more harm reduction practices as they gain experience, and these practices are linked to more positive and less challenging experiences. In a mixed-methods study of 163 participants, greater use of harm reduction strategies was associated with higher scores on the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory and lower scores on the Challenging Experience Questionnaire, especially for first-time use. Commonly reported practices include ensuring good 'set and setting' and attending to the specific drug being taken. Users largely described positive experiences and emphasized the importance of preparation and environment.