Manifest Your Desires: Psychedelics and the Self-Help Industry

A psychedelic industrial complex is forming as new research on these substances gains approval, yet much remains unknown about their potential for both benefit and harm. Despite a lack of reliable mechanistic evidence, entrepreneurs have begun marketing psychedelic advice. Drawing on critiques of the self-help industry, parallels are identified: overstated claims, cultural lore, for-profit organizations, and spiritual gurus characterize both industries that sell solutions for mental health disorders. Guidelines for responsible research, therapy, and policy are offered, focusing on evidence-based practices, decriminalization, and rigorous therapist training to temper these concerns.

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Abstract

A psychedelic industrial complex is emerging as new research on these substances and their effects are being approved. These substances show promise, but much remains unknown about their potential for both benefit and harm. Despite the paucity of reliable mechanistic evidence, some entrepreneurs have already begun to market psychedelic advice. We draw on some critiques of the self-help industry to propose potential parallels in the psychedelic industry. Overstated claims, cultural lore, for-profit organizations, and spiritual gurus come with the territory of both industries aimed at selling solutions for mental health disorders. We offer some guidelines for responsible research, therapy, and policy to temper these concerns, focusing on evidence-based practices, decriminalization, and rigorous therapist training.