Set and setting predict psychopathology, wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences: a correlational study

BACKGROUND: In psychedelic therapy, the importance of set and setting is a fundamental but under-researched assumption. The aim of this study is to correlate variables of set (psychedelic use motivation) and setting (psychedelic use location and type of companion) with psychopathology, wellbeing and personality variables. RESEARCH DESIGN AND Various personality, well-being and psychopathology instruments were implemented to measure outcome variables. RESULTS: Growth motivations, natural settings and presence of significant others predicted less psychopathology, greater wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences, whereas problematic motivations predicted greater psychopathology, lower wellbeing and did not predict meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences. CONCLUSIONS: Based on these results, we suggest experimental hypotheses for future clinical trials and longitudinal studies with potential clinical implications.