Psychedelic Atmospherics
Psychedelic Intersections January 17, 2025 DOI: 10.70423/0001.03
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractThe spaces where psychedelic experiences occur are not neutral; environments like forests, urban retreats, or clinics actively shape the affective and perceptual dimensions of the experience. The concept of "psychedelic atmospherics" is introduced to examine how materialities, spaces, and environments intertwine with cosmological and cultural realities to influence psychedelic sessions. Atmospheric elements can guide, amplify, or challenge the visionary and affective qualities that emerge. Recognizing this opens new avenues for ethnographic study and practical considerations in therapy, spirituality, and research.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Key finding | The concept of "psychedelic atmospherics" is proposed to understand how the setting of psychedelic use actively shapes the experience, intertwining material, spatial, and cultural factors. |
Abstract
The spaces where psychedelic experiences unfold are never neutral. Whether in dense forests, urban retreats, or clinical settings, these environments shape how psychedelic senses and emotions are experienced. I propose “psychedelic atmospherics” as a concept to explore the affective and perceptual experience of different settings of psychedelic usage. Psychedelic atmospherics offers a lens for understanding the entanglement of materialities, spaces, and environments with cosmological and cultural realities in catalyzing psychedelic experiences. Atmospheric elements can actively shape the psychedelic sessions by guiding, amplifying, or even challenging the visionary and affective qualities that emerge following ingestion. Recognizing the significance of these elements opens new avenues for both ethnographic inquiry and practical considerations for therapy, spirituality, and research.