From Science to Pleasure: Justifications of the Use of Classic Psychedelics in Finland

This study explores the justification for psychedelics use among 40 Finnish interviewees.

We conducted and analyzed 40 thematic interviews with Finnish psychedelics users employing justification analysis as an analytical framework. The study investigates justifications as expressed by the users.

We found almost the full spectrum of Boltanski and Thévenot's justification logics represented in the interviewees' use justifications, with the exception of the logics of the market world. We formed an additional 'world of self' to capture justifications connected to various personal experiences, including pleasure, which is often overlooked in clinical research. The participants tended to make a distinction between the use of psychedelics and other drugs or intoxicating substances. The justifications employed ranged from personal level to societal level, and from spiritual to technological justifications. Overall, the justifications appeared largely influenced by the new wave of psychedelic research, self-experienced benefits and ideals of individualism. Reported positive effects included feelings of euphoria and other positive feelings, even when the use was motivated by self-development or self-medication.

The positive and more recreational aspects of psychedelics use are important for users and could be an essential part of the therapeutic benefits of psychedelics, which is often overlooked in the research.