A Scoping Review of Research in Naturalistic Studies with Psychedelics.
Laura C Carvalho, Jorge Encantado, Hannes Kettner, Christopher Timmerman, Diogo Veiga, Pedro J Teixeira
Journal of psychoactive drugs June 28, 2025 DOI: 10.1080/02791072.2025.2520221 via PubMed
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractA review of 103 naturalistic psychedelic studies found that most used cross-sectional surveys, ayahuasca was the most studied substance (66%), and ceremonial settings were the most common context (35.9%). Sample characteristics were widely reported but varied considerably, while specific contextual details like music were often missing. The authors call for systematic reporting standards to improve the value of real-world psychedelic research alongside clinical trials.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Systematic review Longitudinal Cross-sectional Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 103 |
| Population | Naturalistic psychedelic studies |
| Keywords | Naturalistic research Real-world data Psychedelics: ayahuasca Entheogens Hallucinogens |
| Citations | 6 |
| Key finding | Ayahuasca was the most frequently studied substance (66%) and ceremonial settings were the most commonly reported context (35.9%), but sample characteristics varied widely and contextual details were often underreported. |
Abstract
Psychedelic research has traditionally focused on controlled, clinical settings to evaluate the therapeutic potential of substances such as psilocybin. However, in recent years, there has been growing interest in naturalistic research, which explores psychedelic use in real-world settings. This review aims to critically analyze trends in naturalistic psychedelic research, focusing on sample demographics and the diversity of contextual factors across different settings. A systematic search in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Web of Science was conducted, including studies that involved the use of classic psychedelics in real-world settings. Two reviewers independently screened articles and extracted data on both sample and setting characteristics. A total of 103 studies were included, most of which employed a cross-sectional survey-based design (n = 54), with sample characteristics being widely reported, albeit with considerable variability across studies. Ayahuasca was the most frequently studied substance (66%), and ceremonial settings were the most commonly reported (35.9%). While sample characteristics were widely reported, there was significant variability. Specific contextual components, such as music, were often underreported, with longitudinal studies providing the most comprehensive details. This review highlights the need for systematic reporting standards in naturalistic psychedelic research to maximize its complementary value alongside clinical trials.