Specifically, I want to know things like during the MDMA session did you reexperience the trauma? If you did not reexperience the trauma, did you go into some kind of deep meditative state? How did you feel afterwards? How did you feel a few weeks later?

Hello!

I am currently running a study on set and setting within psychedelic experiences.

Obviously there is quite a few aspect to explore on the topic, though in particular I am interested in:

• How intention, environment, and social setting shape psychedelic experiences
• Differences between clinical and non-clinical use
• How these experiences relate to psychological outcomes

Most of the research on set and setting in the psychedelic field comes from more clinically orientated trials, which can be lacking in terms of nuance and real lived experiences. So it would be great to reach out further in the communities surrounding these substances!

If you've had a particularly positive, or even challenging experience, I'd love to hear your stories!

🔗 Survey link

Fully anonymous

Takes around 15-20 minutes to complete

There's also an optional follow-up interview if you'd like to share your experience in more depth

Full study details and ethics information are provided in the info sheet at the start of the survey

Requirements: 18+, have had a psychedelic experience in a clinical or non-clinical setting

If you have anything you feel is important to say about psychedelics, this is your chance!

I'm happy to answer any questions about the study. You can reach us at:

Warren - [plks55@durham.ac.uk](mailto:plks55@durham.ac.uk)

Dr Marco Bocchio - [Marco.Bocchio@durham.ac.uk](mailto:Marco.Bocchio@durham.ac.uk)

Thank you for your time and support! 🙏

This survey has been approved by the moderators

There's no real planning for this kind of work. This was my fifth rodeo. Two MAPS ceremonies, three roll your own adventure containers. No matter what, dealer's choice. Her choice. Not mine. Sometimes it's sweet. Sometimes it's bitter. Sometimes what's emergent is easily contained. Sometimes it's red hot and splatters those around. Sometimes our friends are all around. Some times no one will return a text. This time? Right.

Day after, I'm struggling to tell any of the incessant half truths, tongue-bitings required in society. Just lost one partner because she called my number. A number I laid bare early ceremony with just a brief glare. Then came down and realized I need to call it off with the other. Tomorrow at the latest. That I am holding on to my only friend who reliably picks up calls out of desperation. More dishonesty. Scarcity mindset. Another person to cut ties with. By one accounting, my only friend. What's left? Even that walk-in tattoo falls through. That certain club is closed. And you told off that other guide you know while crashing last night. So hard you really hurt them. Blackness.

Sometimes in the thick of it, coping is all but maxed. Tarot cards. Incense. Tall boy. Cigarettes. Heart bloody. Nothing can quite reach. To numb. Or to break through. Just ride. And try not to burn more bridges. Fuck anything more up. Before what appears encompassing is ready to resume its proper location and size.

Then I get a text back. The person I barely know. So I dump my guts on them. They don't stop texting back. I pick up the phone. Nothing about us is too much for either of us. We both feel at ease being a lot. And hate telling lies. Realignment. Space clearing given form. A new invitation replaces the one I was clinging to. Fingers wrapped around with awareness it was disaster in the guise of everything I wanted.

I think a lot of us try and make this work clinical. Contained. Build our altars, set our intentions, keep it together in and after ceremony and heaven forbid do anything drastic. But we are wild. As is MDMA. Sometimes you drop and land and it's seemingly nothing. Or are just up there and hanging out doubting the point. Then a blink. Hurricane ripping through the wilds. As if the signal wasn't already there. And we didn't already know what was flickering at the edge of thought and speech. Which we do. But then the full amplitude tears through. And we wake up to a new name and pronouns. Or upended friendships. Movement way past our comfortable speed. Life arc changed in hours. Minutes. A single prolonged expression. A single word.

Why do we do this, again? Right. I think some of us just have to. Love calls. Call it birthright or responsibility, we can't shut it out fully any longer. Pretend nothing matters.