Self-Care Practices with Psychedelics - A Qualitative Study of Users’ Perspectives
This qualitative interview study (n=19) explored the relationship between psychedelic use and self-care practices in naturalistic settings. Results indicate that for many participants, psychedelics enhanced self-care abilities through mechanisms of altered self-perception and existential meaningfulness.
Authors
- Soares, C. M.
- Leite, A.
- Pinto, M.
Published
Abstract
This article explores the psychedelic experience from the users’ point of view and through the lens of self-care, a concept within the domain of health and well-being. In a time of renewed interest in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, we aim to contribute to a better understanding of these substances by exploring their role in different settings. A phenomenological approach was used in this study. We conducted semi-structured interviews with 19 psychedelic users and inquired about the relationship between their experiences and self-care. Analysis of the interview data was based on inductive content analysis. Most participants reported using psychedelics with self-care intentions in ceremonial, recreational, or private settings. Self-perception and existential meaningfulness were identified as the main mechanisms of self-care. Participants also mentioned difficult experiences and adversities that impair self-care. The results suggest that for some people, the use of psychedelics may be experienced as part of a self-care process and may improve self-care abilities in naturalistic settings.
Research Summary of 'Self-Care Practices with Psychedelics - A Qualitative Study of Users’ Perspectives'
Introduction
Earlier research has reported promising clinical results for psychedelics as adjuncts to psychotherapy across conditions such as post-traumatic stress disorder, treatment-resistant depression, substance use disorders and anxiety in life-threatening illness, and qualitative work has begun to characterise subjective mechanisms that may underlie therapeutic effects. The concept of self-care—broadly the individual's intentional actions to promote health and well-being across physical, psychological, social and professional domains—has not been systematically linked to psychedelic use, despite its relevance for both harm reduction and therapeutic implementation. This study set out to explore, from users' perspectives, how psychedelic experiences intersect with self-care. Specifically, the investigators asked which dimensions and mechanisms of self-care participants identify in relation to their psychedelic use, what needs psychedelics address, and how experiences relate to participants' healthy functioning or well-being. The authors used a phenomenological approach to elicit rich, subjective descriptions of these phenomena in naturalistic settings.
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Study Details
- Study Typeindividual
- Journal
- Topics
- APA Citation
Soares, C. M., Leite, Â., & Pinto, M. (2023). Self-Care Practices with Psychedelics - A Qualitative Study of Users’ Perspectives. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 55(2), 159-169. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2022.2071134
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