Challenging Psilocybin Experiences: What Research Tells Us About Difficult Trips
A research-grounded look at why some psilocybin sessions become challenging or frightening — covering neuroticism as a predictor of adverse reactions, the role of set and setting, and how clinical protocols minimize risk while preserving therapeutic potential.
Source Research Papers
Citations in APA 7 format. All studies were sourced from peer-reviewed journals via Google Scholar. Unfamiliar terms? See the plain-language glossary →
Barrett, F. S., Johnson, M. W., & Griffiths, R. R. (2017). Neuroticism is associated with challenging experiences with psilocybin mushrooms. Personality and Individual Differences, 117, 155–160. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2017.06.004
People who score high on the personality trait 'neuroticism' were more likely to have a difficult or frightening psilocybin experience — a clue that screening and good preparation matter.
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