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Intention-Setting Among Recreational Psychedelic Users: Associated Acute Effects and Changes in Well-Being.

Fiona Low^1,2, Mitch Earleywine²

¹Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA.

Journal of Psychoactive Drugs

|May 22, 2026

Summary

Setting specific, relevant, and integrated intentions for self-discovery and mental health can enhance psychedelic experiences and well-being. Flexible intentions, however, may lead to worse outcomes.

Keywords:

Intentions psychedelic-assisted therapy psychedelics substance use

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Area of Science:

Psychopharmacology
Psychology
Neuroscience

Background:

Limited research exists on the specific intentions set by psychedelic users.
The effects of different intention types on user experiences and outcomes require further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

To establish a taxonomy of intentions in naturalistic psychedelic use.
To examine the correlation between intention domains and acute effects, well-being changes, and effective intention-setting qualities.
To investigate the impact of intention characteristics on psychedelic experiences.

Main Methods:

Retrospective, mixed-methods, cross-sectional study design.
Analysis of intention types, user-reported experiences, and well-being outcomes.
Examination of qualities for effective intention-setting.

Main Results:

Common intentions include self-discovery, personal growth, healing, and mental health.
Mental health, self-expansion, and physical health intentions correlate with profound subjective effects and improved well-being.
Recreational intentions show no benefit for dysfunctional attitudes and negatively impact well-being.
Specific, relevant, and integrated intentions are linked to improved well-being, while flexible intentions correlate with worse outcomes.

Conclusions:

Specific, relevant, and integrated intentions focused on self-discovery and mental health appear most beneficial for psychedelic experiences.
Intention-setting plays a crucial role in modulating psychedelic outcomes.
Future research should explore the mechanisms underlying the effects of different intention types and qualities.