Do people use psilocybin alone or with other people?

Evidence-based data from our psilocybin study, which enrolled over 8,000 individuals across the world, found that participants primarily reported using psilocybin alone (>40%), with friends who were also using (>25%), or with a sober friend or trip sitter (>15%). These reports are consistent with a recent investigation of psilocybin experiences wherein only 25% of respondents reported a “guide” or “sitter” present (Carbonaro et al., 2016). Most participants took psilocybin at home (>60%) or outdoors (>15%), and the median time of dosing was 4pm. However, it’s important to note that individuals from our study were especially experienced with psychedelics. Especially for first-time users, a guide, facilitator, or “trip sitter” is highly recommended to provide support during the experience. In fact, psychedelic users place high value on “trip sitters” who had experienced psychedelic and other non-ordinary states of consciousness, who had knowledge of the health and medical industry, psychedelic literature and/or had previously cared for other psychedelic consumers (Engel et al., 2022).

 

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