Set & SettingPsilocybin

Reactions to psilocybin administered in a supportive environment

This early report (1963) analyzes questionnaire responses of participants about their experiences under the influence of psilocybin in a supportive environment and found that group size and atmosphere (setting) were important determinants of the quality of the experience.

Authors

  • Leary, T.
  • Litwin, G. H.
  • Metzner, R.

Published

Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
individual Study

Abstract

Excerpt: A study has been described in which psilocybin was given to 175 [participants] from various backgrounds in a naturalistic environment. 98 initial experiences were assessed by means of a questionnaire, both in terms of major dimensions of the experience and in terms of the contribution of background and situational factors. A comparison of first and second experiences was made for a subsample of 35 [participants]. The results were discussed with reference to extracts from subjective accounts written by [participants]. The role of various set and setting variables was described and a tentative psychological mechanism proposed to account for the effects of these variables.

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Study Details

  • Study Type
    individual
  • Journal
    Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease
  • Compound
    Psilocybin
  • Topic
    Set & Setting
  • APA Citation

    LEARY, T., LITWIN, G. H., & METZNER, R. (1963). Reactions to psilocybin administered in a supportive environment. The Journal of Nervous and Mental Disease, 137(6), 561-573. https://doi.org/10.1097/00005053-196312000-00007

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