Personal Psychedelic Experience as a Training Qualification for Facilitators: A Thematic Analysis of Qualitative Interviews with Psilocybin Experts
Ar Wilson-Poe, Ka Hoffman, Jb Luoma, Cs Stauffer, Kellie Pertl, Alissa Bazinet, Dennis McCarty, P. Todd Korthuis
Journal of Psychoactive Drugs September 13, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2024.2401982 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractExperts with a mean of 15.2 years of experience facilitating psilocybin experiences overwhelmingly view first-hand experience with psychedelics as important for facilitators in emerging state-legal frameworks. Personal experience may indirectly improve care quality by enhancing facilitators' wellbeing and helping them understand clients' experiences. One participant questioned this necessity. The current legal frameworks in Oregon and Colorado do not address facilitators' personal psychedelic experience, creating an opportunity to study its association with service safety and outcomes.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Qualitative study Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 36 |
| Population | Experts with at least 5 years' experience facilitating psilocybin experiences in ceremonial settings, indigenous practices, or clinical trials |
| Topics | Psilocybin |
| Keywords | Thematic analysis Qualitative research Hallucinogen Qualitative analysis |
| Citations | 9 |
| Key finding | Experts with extensive experience facilitating psilocybin services largely view first-hand psychedelic experience as an important qualification for facilitators, though one participant questioned its necessity. |
Abstract
Emerging legal frameworks in Oregon and Colorado license facilitators to support adults receiving psychedelic services. The current legal frameworks are silent regarding facilitators' personal experience with psychedelics. An e-Delphi process recruited 36 experts with at least 5 years' experience facilitating psilocybin experiences in ceremonial settings, indigenous practices, or clinical trials. Respondents completed in-depth, semi-structured qualitative interviews via secure web links. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analyzed using Thematic Analysis. Experts with a mean of 15.2 (SD 13.1) years' experience providing psilocybin services expressed the importance of first-hand experience with psychedelics as a qualification for the emerging workforce. One participant questioned the necessity of personal psychedelic experience. Experts suggested that personal experience may indirectly support high-quality care because it enhances facilitators' personal wellbeing, and may help facilitators understand the complexity and nature of their clients' psychedelic experiences. Novel state-legal psychedelic paradigms create a real-world opportunity to assess associations between facilitators' personal psychedelic experience and the safety and outcomes of psychedelic services.