A virtual reality framework called Isness-distributed (Isness-D) enables groups of people in a shared virtual space to experience their bodies as luminous energetic essences with diffuse boundaries, allowing moments of 'energetic coalescence' where bodies fluidly merge and participants include multiple others within their self-representation. In a citizen science study with 58 participants across an international network of Isness-D nodes, scores on four self-report scales (inclusion of community in self, ego-dissolution inventory, communitas scale, and MEQ30 mystical experience questionnaire) were statistically indistinguishable from those reported in recent psychedelic drug studies. This demonstrates that distributed VR can design intersubjective self-transcendent experiences where people dissolve their sense of self in connection to others.
People who use psychedelics recreationally adopt more harm reduction practices with experience, and those practices are linked to more emotional breakthroughs and fewer challenging experiences. In a mixed-methods online survey of 163 participants, greater use of harm reduction strategies in the most recent trip compared to the first trip was associated with higher scores on the Emotional Breakthrough Inventory and lower scores on the Challenging Experience Questionnaire, especially for the first experience. Participants emphasized the importance of 'set and setting' over specific drug details for enhancing positive effects. The findings inform the development of harm reduction advice for recreational psychedelic use.
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.