Experienced trip sitters enhance psychedelic safety and harm reduction

  • SOURCE ▸
    PUBLISHED
  • August 29, 2022
  • AUTHORS
  • Liam B. Engel
  • PUBLICATION
  • Contemporary Drug Problems
  • TITLE
  • Experienced trip sitters enhance psychedelic safety and harm reduction
  • Psychedelic Forum Member Preferences for Carer Experience and Consumption Behavior: Can “Trip Sitters” Help Inform Psychedelic Harm Reduction Services?
  • KEY TAKEAWAY
  • Community discussions on psychedelic forums indicate a strong preference for experienced and empathetic trip sitters, highlighting the value of both personal experience with psychedelics and the potential of remote support in enhancing psychedelic harm reduction effortsPsychedelic harm reduction services are benefitted from employing peers with lived psychedelic experience to provide empathetic care and can explore remote options to meet consumer preferences for privacy and accessibility.

The study titled "Psychedelic Forum Member Preferences for Carer Experience and Consumption Behavior: Can “Trip Sitters” Help Inform Psychedelic Harm Reduction Services?" by Liam B. Engel, Sascha B. Thal, and Stephen J. Bright (2022) explores the significant role that "trip sitters" could play in the realm of psychedelic harm reduction. Drawing on discussions from two online forums, The Shroomery and DMT Nexus, the research delves into the community's perspectives on the ideal characteristics and practices of those who provide care during psychedelic experiences.The study uncovered two primary themes: the value placed on the experience of trip sitters and the concept of remote sitting. Community members expressed a strong preference for sitters who possess firsthand experience with psychedelics and other non-ordinary states of consciousness. Additionally, they highlighted the importance of having knowledge related to health, medical industries, and psychedelic literature. This preference is rooted in the desire for empathy and understanding from sitters, who are perceived as better equipped to navigate the complexities of a psychedelic experience due to their personal insights.Another interesting finding is the acknowledgment of the benefits provided by remote trip sitting. Participants in the forums discussed how the advent of online communication tools has opened up the possibility of having a trip sitter who is not physically present but remains accessible for support. This approach respects the consumer's privacy while ensuring that help is available if needed.The study concludes that there's a clear demand for trip sitters who can empathize with the psychedelic experience, suggesting that harm reduction services could benefit from incorporating peers into their models of care. Furthermore, it highlights an emerging interest in remote psychedelic care services, pointing towards an unexplored area that could significantly contribute to the field of psychedelic harm reduction.These findings have crucial implications for organizations dedicated to psychedelic harm reduction. By understanding the community's preferences for trip sitting, harm reduction services can tailor their offerings to better meet the needs of those they aim to serve. Employing individuals with personal experience in psychedelics and exploring remote sitting options could enhance the effectiveness of harm reduction strategies, ultimately leading to safer and more positive psychedelic experiences. This research underscores the importance of community insights in shaping harm reduction practices and suggests a potential pathway for the evolution of care in psychedelic experiences (Engel, Thal, & Bright, 2022).

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