The Corporadelic Set and Setting: On the Consequences of Psychedelic Commodification

Abstract

The term “corporadelic” signifies “manifesting corporate structures, ethos, or logic within the context of the psychedelic landscape.” It points to a relatively novel phenomena in the history of psychedelics: the appropriation of these psychoactive agents by for-profit corporations and the integration of psychedelic use into corporate setting. Set and setting is a fundamental concept in the field of psychedelics and points to the crucial dependence of psychedelic effects on contextual factors, such as expectancy, intention, and environment. In recent years, the term has been extended to include an examination of sociocultural structures and their role in shaping experiences with psychedelics.

Building on concepts like corporadelic and cultural set and setting, this commentary points to some crucial ways the meaning and effects of psychedelics change as they move from Indigenous and underground setting into the free-market, corporate setting. It argues that setting psychedelic medicine and healing within the context of neo-liberalism consumerism may undermine and thwart its efficacy and transformational potential.

Link to article: https://hopp.uwpress.org/content/65/1/131