Psychedelic trip sitting, dosages and intensities

Supplementing clinical studies with anecdotal reports

Bibliographic Data

ID4652089
AuthorsLiam B Engel (0000-0001-8030-7210, Royal Botanic Garden Sydney, corresponding author), Sascha Thal (0000-0001-9028-9335, Murdoch University), Stephen J Bright (0000-0002-9001-032X, Edith Cowan University), Mitchell Low (0000-0002-7928-0089, Western Sydney University)
Year2024
Publication date2024-07-17
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournal of Psychedelic Studies (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2559-9283 • E-ISSN: 2559-9283
PublisherAkademiai Kiado Zrt (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1556/2054.2024.00377
OpenAlexW4400732567
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited27

Background and aimsOnline communities provide insights into psychedelic consumption, assisting in identification of trends, informing both harm reduction provisions and clinical research. This study extracts forum data on psychedelic substances, dosages, and administration routes, categorising and analysing self-reported consumption to inform care services and guide clinical work with psychedelics.MethodsPosts (n = 660) from online psychedelic forums (The Shroomery and DMT Nexus) on 'trip sitting' were analysed. Using a Delphi-style expert panel review facilitated by LE, we created drug weight and intensity charts (threshold, light, common, strong and heavy dosages) for psychedelics discussed in these posts. The psychedelic substance, dosage intensity and route of administration [ROA] (smoked/vaporised, oral, injected, insufflated and undisclosed) frequencies and exploring correlations with perceived need for assistance from a psychedelic carer were mapped and correlated with perceived need for psychedelic care.ResultsPsychedelics appearing in our data were 5-MeO-DMT, ayahuasca, changa, LSA, LSD and psilocybin. There was greater commonality between clinical studies and 'common' doses determined through the Delphi method, for more extensively researched substances like LSD and psilocybin. Many posts indicated opinions that psychedelic care was unnecessary or optional for consumers, particularly for LSD and LSA. 5-MeO-DMT was strongly associated with a perceived need for care. A correlation was identified between greater psychedelic purity, dosage intensity, and a perceived need for care. Oral administration, the most common ROA, showed lower dosage intensity.ConclusionMore research is needed to understand factors influencing psychedelic care practices. Educational information, emphasizing risk management strategies, should be provided to psychedelic consumers, emphasising psychedelic products and administration methods more likely to be dosed at a strong or heavy intensity

Delphi method · Dose · Hallucinogen · Mescaline · Psilocybin · Biochemical Analysis and Sensing Techniques · Chemical synthesis and alkaloids · Medicine · Psychedelics and Drug Studies · Psychology · Pharmacology

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