PENS: Psychedelic Experience Narratives in Scotland

A mixed-methods inquiry into psychedelic experience, meaning-making, and wellbeing in Scotland

As psychedelics gain renewed scientific and public interest, this project, PENS, aims to explore personal narratives surrounding past psychedelic use and perceived impacts on wellbeing. While clinical research into psychedelics (e.g., psilocybin, MDMA, LSD, ketamine, DMT) has shown promise for treating mental health conditions such as depression, PTSD, and substance use disorders, less is known about how these substances are experienced in naturalistic, non-clinical contexts.

This study employs a comprehensive, anonymous online survey to collect qualitative and quantitative data from adults (18+) in Scotland with prior experience of psychedelic substances. The survey, hosted on Qualtrics, includes 10 sections covering demographics, psychedelic history, microdosing, attitudes and perceived risks, mental health and therapies, and validated psychological measures including the Warwick-Edinburgh Mental Well-being Scale (WEMWBS), the Psychological Insight Scale, and the Spiritual Well-Being Scale.

The survey design ensures that only retrospective use is reported, avoiding any reference to future intentions to use psychedelics in order to mitigate ethical and legal concerns. Data handling adheres to GDPR, DPA 2018, and the University of Edinburgh's research ethics and safeguarding policies. Safeguarding procedures are in place for cases where participant anonymity is compromised or if disclosures indicate risk of harm.

Participants are recruited via social media and personal/professional networks, excluding NHS mailing lists or staff. Data will be stored securely for up to five years and reviewed post-dissertation. Findings aim to contribute to the growing literature on psychedelic use, wellbeing, and public attitudes, with relevance to health, policy, and harm reduction in the Scottish context.