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S. Thal

2 papers in the library · 40 citations · publishing 2019-2022

Papers

Psychedelic Forum Member Preferences for Carer Experience and Consumption Behavior: Can “Trip Sitters” Help Inform Psychedelic Harm Reduction Services?

Contemporary Drug Problems August 29, 2022 Liam B. Engel, S. Thal, S. Bright 29 citations

People who use psychedelics prefer trip sitters—caregivers who monitor them during a session—to have personal experience with psychedelics or other non-ordinary states of consciousness, knowledge of health and medical fields, and familiarity with psychedelic literature. Forum discussions on The Shroomery and DMT Nexus also reveal a demand for remote trip sitting, where consumers communicate plans online to a sitter who is not physically present, balancing privacy with care. These preferences likely stem from stigma and the value of empathy; trip sitters with lived experience can relate to the effects and help consumers avoid judgment. The findings suggest that harm reduction services should be delivered by peers and should explore remote care options.

DOI: 10.1177/00914509221121420 Full text Psychology Medicine

The link between childhood trauma and dissociation in frequent users of classic psychedelics and dissociatives

Journal of Substance Use May 21, 2019 S. Thal, J. Daniels, H. Jungaberle 11 citations

Childhood trauma severity and substance use each independently predict higher levels of depersonalization, but substance use does not amplify the link between childhood trauma and depersonalization. In a sample of 297 participants (80.2% active users), neither the quantity nor the one-year prevalence of substance use moderated the relationship. The findings suggest that the quality and context of substance experiences, rather than sheer quantity, may be more relevant to the development of depersonalization symptoms.

DOI: 10.1080/14659891.2019.1614234 Full text Medicine Psychology