Development of a digital intervention for psychedelic preparation (DIPP).

Area of Science:

• Psychopharmacology
• Digital Mental Health
• Intervention Development

Background:

• Psychedelic substances cause significant consciousness alterations.
• Effective preparation is crucial for safety and therapeutic benefits.
• Existing preparation methods lack standardization and scalability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To develop a self-directed digital intervention for psychedelic preparation.
• To enhance user safety and therapeutic outcomes of psychedelic experiences.
• To align psychedelic preparation with digital mental health trends.

Main Methods:

• Development followed the UK Medical Research Council (MRC) framework.
• A four-factor model of psychedelic preparedness informed the design.
• Mixed-methods approach included participant interviews and co-design workshops.

Main Results:

• A 21-day digital course, Digital Intervention for Psychedelic Preparation (DIPP), was co-produced.
• DIPP features four modules: Knowledge-Expectation, Psychophysical-Readiness, Safety-Planning, and Intention-Preparation.
• The course incorporates daily meditation, exercises, and mood tracking.

Conclusions:

• DIPP offers a comprehensive and scalable solution for psychedelic preparation.
• The intervention addresses the need for structured, accessible pre-psychedelic guidance.
• This digital approach supports the growing field of psychedelic-assisted therapies.