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‘Go with the "wave of music" to dive deep’: Exploring perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the role of music within this practice

MacLeod, Ann; Clarke, Victoria; Warner, Catherine

‘Go with the "wave of music" to dive deep’: Exploring perceptions of psychedelic-assisted therapy and the role of music within this practice Thumbnail


Authors

Ann MacLeod

Profile image of Victoria Clarke

Dr Victoria Clarke Victoria.Clarke@uwe.ac.uk
Associate Professor in Qualitative & Critical Psychology



Abstract

There is increasing interest in psychedelic-assisted therapy (PT) as a mental health intervention; however, there is a long history of stigma associated with psychedelics, which may be a barrier to implementation. For this reason, it is important to examine the acceptability and perceptions of PT among mental health professionals, service users and the wider public. In almost all PT research carried out to date, music listening is used as an essential adjunct to support the therapeutic aims, such as having a ‘peak experience’ and emotional release, however existing research has not addressed the perceptions of the role of music in PT. This qualitative study used a novel hybrid vignette-story completion method to explore understandings of PT and the role of music in the practice. Reflexive thematic analysis was used to develop three themes: 1) ‘Psychedelic therapy can reach the parts that other therapies cannot reach’; 2) ‘Music as a guide’; and 3) ‘It’s no magic bullet’: the potential risks of PT. The analysis highlights the important role that music is perceived to play in the practice of PT, positive perceptions of PT as a mental health intervention, alongside concerns about potential risks.

Journal Article Type Article
Acceptance Date Mar 4, 2025
Online Publication Date Mar 11, 2025
Publication Date Apr 30, 2025
Deposit Date Mar 12, 2025
Publicly Available Date Mar 12, 2025
Print ISSN 0197-4556
Publisher Elsevier
Peer Reviewed Peer Reviewed
Volume 93
Article Number 102284
DOI https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aip.2025.102284
Public URL https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/13936025

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