Cited by 657Psychedelics and Drug StudiesPain Management and Placebo EffectReligion, Spirituality, and Psychology

Psychedelics and the essential importance of context

Carhart-Harris, Robin L, Roseman, Leor, Haijen, Eline, Erritzoe, David, Watts, Rosalind, Branchi, Igor, Kaelen, Mendel·2018·Journal of Psychopharmacology

Abstract

Psychedelic drugs are making waves as modern trials support their therapeutic potential and various media continue to pique public interest. In this opinion piece, we draw attention to a long-recognised component of the psychedelic treatment model, namely ‘set’ and ‘setting’ – subsumed here under the umbrella term ‘context’. We highlight: (a) the pharmacological mechanisms of classic psychedelics (5-HT2A receptor agonism and associated plasticity) that we believe render their effects exceptionally sensitive to context, (b) a study design for testing assumptions regarding positive interactions between psychedelics and context, and (c) new findings from our group regarding contextual determinants of the quality of a psychedelic experience and how acute experience predicts subsequent long-term mental health outcomes. We hope that this article can: (a) inform on good practice in psychedelic research, (b) provide a roadmap for optimising treatment models, and (c) help tackle unhelpful stigma still surrounding these compounds, while developing an evidence base for long-held assumptions about the critical importance of context in relation to psychedelic use that can help minimise harms and maximise potential benefits.

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Crossref · 10.1177/0269881118754710

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Authors
Carhart-Harris, R. L., Roseman, L., Haijen, E., Erritzoe, D., Watts, R., Branchi, I., & Kaelen, M.
Affiliations
  • Imperial College London (GB)
  • Psychedelic Research Group, Neuropsychopharmacology Unit, Centre for Psychiatry, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, UK
  • Istituto Superiore di Sanità (IT)
Corresponding author
Carhart-Harris, Robin L
Venue
Journal of Psychopharmacology
Published
2018-02-15
Volume
32
Issue
7
Pages
725-731
ISSN
  • 0269-8811 (ISSN-L)
  • 1461-7285
OpenAlex
W2788854095
Cited by
657
References
62
Citations by year
2026: 83 · 2025: 102 · 2024: 112 · 2023: 105 · 2022: 97 · 2021: 72 · 2020: 49 · 2019: 24 · 2018: 13
FWCI
46.42
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Journal of Psychopharmacology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute for Health and Care Research (ACF-2013-21-501)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Psychology › Clinical Psychology › Psychedelics and Drug Studies
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Pain Management and Placebo Effect
  • Social Sciences › Health › Religion, Spirituality, and Psychology
Keywords
psychedelics, set and setting, context effects, 5-HT2A receptor agonism, neuroplasticity, long-term mental health outcomes, harm reduction
MeSH terms
Animals, Clinical Trials as Topic, Hallucinogens, Humans, Research Design, Serotonin 5-HT2 Receptor Agonists

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