The study "How psychedelic researchers’ self-admitted substance use and their association with psychedelic culture affect people’s perceptions of their scientific integrity and the quality of their research" by Matthias Forstmann and Christina Sagioglou (2021) delves into the nuanced perceptions of psychedelic research integrity and quality based on researchers' personal use of psychedelics and their association with psychedelic culture. Conducting three studies with a total of 952 participants, Forstmann and Sagioglou aimed to discern how these factors influence public opinion regarding the credibility and reliability of psychedelic research.Their findings indicate a complex landscape of public perception. Studies 1 and 2 revealed that researchers' self-disclosure of psychedelic use tends to negatively impact perceptions of their integrity, specifically their perceived unbiasedness, professionalism, and honesty. However, this self-disclosure did not significantly affect the public's valuation of the research quality or its significance. This suggests a differentiation in the public mind between the character of the researcher and the substantive content of their work.In contrast, Study 3 demonstrated that association with psychedelic culture, such as presenting research in environments or contexts stereotypically associated with psychedelic culture (e.g., conferences with social activities linked to psychedelic use), adversely affected perceptions of the research's quality. This effect was particularly pronounced among participants with no personal experience with psychedelics, who rated the research as less valid, true, and unbiased when presented in a stereotyped psychedelic context.The moderation of perceptions by personal experience with psychedelics highlights the role of stigma and preconceived notions in the evaluation of scientific research. The negative bias against researchers associated with psychedelic culture underscores the societal challenges faced by the field, potentially hindering its acceptance and integration into mainstream scientific discourse despite its growing body of evidence.These findings are particularly relevant for organizations focused on psychedelic harm reduction and the promotion of psychedelic research. Understanding the public's perception can inform strategies to improve the reception and credibility of psychedelic science. It emphasizes the need for careful consideration of how research is presented and the importance of addressing and reducing stigma associated with psychedelics to ensure the scientific community and the public can evaluate the research on its merits, free from bias introduced by perceptions of the researchers' personal choices and cultural associations (Forstmann & Sagioglou, 2021).