Context

There are some unique considerations when we think about psychedelic-assisted therapy that are different from the usual treatments that we see in mental health care and health care in general.

Considerations for the Physical Environment

One is that there are special considerations that need to be made to the physical environment, to better support the outcomes related to a psychedelic experience. Let’s use the analogy of an operating room. It's a very unique and specialized physical environment that has special tools and highly trained personnel in order to attend safely and appropriately to the person on the operating table. We might think of psychedelic-assisted therapy that way too.

In thinking about the environment, some of the environmental considerations are things like:

• Soundproofing
• The use of music
• Attention to design and décor
• Incorporation of natural elements like plants
• Attention to lighting (such as soft, adjustable, or natural lighting)
• Furniture
• Objects and art that promote a calm and tranquil environment
• Opportunity to lie down, sit down, stand, or move around the room
• Access to emergency medical equipment in case of need for intervention
• Neutral objects or art
• Cultural considerations (such as avoiding cultural appropriation or ensuring that the space is not culturally unsafe for those in an altered state of consciousness) (Gorman et al., 2021)

These and other considerations are going to optimally support a person when they’re in an altered state of consciousness. The space should also be large enough to accommodate three to four people (client, two therapists, and a support person), unless the experience is being conducted in a group setting.