Varieties of psychedelic treatment experiences – a transdiagnostic qualitative research project

In this overarching research program, phenomenological methods are used to explore patient experiences with various psychedelic treatments (involving, for instance, ketamine, MDMA, psilocybin or 5-MeO-DMT) for different mental disorders. The aim is to come to a fuller understanding of these novel treatments by investigating the subjective experiences they elicit in greater detail. Qualitative research methods, phenomenological approaches in particular, are well suited to explore respondents’ inner experiences, their attributions of meaning, and can help inform a more detailed understanding of these complex interventions and underlying psychological mechanisms.
 
Objectives include: 1) to describe the phenomenological content of the subjective effects induced by these different substances; 2) to improve our understanding of how patients experience all aspects, including non-pharmacological and contextual factors, of the treatment intervention; and 3) to gain insight into potential psychological mechanisms that play a role in the treatment process. Answering these questions may lead to a better understanding and optimization of these treatments, e.g. by identifying targets for psychotherapeutic intervention and support.

This researchproject  is part of researchgroup Psychedelic Treatment and Mechanisms - University Center of Psychiatrie