Psychedelic group-based integration: ethical assessment and initial recommendations
Katherine Cheung, Caleigh Propes, Edward Jacobs, Brian D. Earp, David B. Yaden
International Review of Psychiatry June 5, 2024 DOI: 10.1080/09540261.2024.2357678 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractPsychedelic integration groups, offered in person or online, may attract individuals who feel disconnected or lonely after a psychedelic experience. These groups can provide community and shared coping strategies, but also carry risks. This essay explores both benefits and risks, offering preliminary guidelines for physicians, researchers, and individuals to assess and evaluate such groups.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Keywords | Loneliness Disconnection Feeling Social psychology Community integration |
| Citations | 11 |
| Key finding | Psychedelic integration groups may offer community and coping strategies but also carry risks, prompting preliminary guidelines for their evaluation. |
Abstract
A number of organizations have developed or are developing psychedelic integration groups, held in person or online. In parallel, there have been calls to make enhanced integration available in the community after clinical trials. Here, we explore a potential reason why individuals may seek out these groups: namely, the feelings of disconnection and loneliness that may arise after the psychedelic experience (noting that there may be other reasons that individuals may seek out these groups). Integration groups can offer significant benefits to participants (e.g. a sense of community, shared coping strategies); however, there may also be a number of associated risks. In this essay, we aim to explore the benefits and risks of integration groups, and offer a preliminary set of guidelines to physicians, researchers and individuals to help assess and evaluate these groups.