Developing the OPEN Core Consensus Measures for Assessment of Supervised Psilocybin Services: An e-Delphi Study

Korthuis et al. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs 2024

​The study titled “Personal Psychedelic Experience as a Training Qualification for Facilitators: A Thematic Analysis of Qualitative Interviews with Psilocybin Experts” investigates the importance of personal psychedelic experiences for individuals facilitating psilocybin sessions. Researchers interviewed 36 experts, each with at least five years of experience in guiding psilocybin experiences within ceremonial, indigenous, or clinical settings. These experts averaged 15.2 years of facilitation experience. ​

Key Findings:

• Value of Personal Experience: The majority of experts emphasized that firsthand psychedelic experience is crucial for facilitators. They believe it enhances the facilitator’s ability to support clients effectively during psilocybin sessions. ​

• Enhanced Understanding and Empathy: Personal experience with psychedelics is thought to improve facilitators’ comprehension of the complex and varied experiences clients may encounter. This understanding fosters greater empathy and the capacity to provide appropriate guidance.

• Improved Personal Well-being: Engaging in personal psychedelic experiences may contribute to the facilitators’ own well-being, potentially enabling them to offer higher quality care.

• Diverse Perspectives: While most experts supported the importance of personal experience, at least one participant questioned its necessity, suggesting that effective facilitation might also be achieved through other forms of training and expertise. ​

In summary, the study suggests that personal psychedelic experience can be beneficial for psilocybin facilitators, potentially enhancing their empathy, understanding, and overall effectiveness in guiding clients. However, the necessity of such experience remains a topic of discussion within the field.