Participant Information
Investigating non-clinical psilocybin (magic mushroom) use in Australia: Intention, mindset, setting and outcomes.
Researcher
Ashlie Manwaring
[email protected]
Supervisor
Assoc. Prof. Phillip Kavanagh
Discipline of Psychology, Faculty of Health
02 6201 5071
[email protected]
Project Aim
This is a two-part online study which aims to investigate what psilocybin (magic mushroom) use looks like in Australia when it is taken outside of a clinical setting and any negative or positive outcomes of that use. We aim to understand the reasons why Australians are choosing to use psilocybin mushrooms, the nature of their use and how mindset, setting and various other factors such as demographics and dose may affect the outcomes. We also aim to map what similarities and differences there may be between using psilocybin mushrooms recreationally, therapeutically, spiritually or for self-exploration.
Please note: We do not condone or wish to promote the illegal use of psilocybin mushrooms. For the second part of this study, we aim to sample participants who have an existing, established intent to use psilocybin mushrooms only.
Benefits of the Project
The information gained from the research will provide valuable information to assist further scientific research. The data may also help to inform the design of future clinical psychedelic-assisted therapy protocols, should they become available. Understanding the factors affecting any negative outcomes may help to inform harm-minimisation practices. Participating in this study will allow you an opportunity to reflect on your past and future sessions with psilocybin mushrooms which may help you to make sense of or psychologically integrate your experiences.
Risks of the Project
Possession of psilocybin mushrooms is illegal in Australia and there is a risk to participants in disclosing information about illegal drug use. If you wish to participate in part two of the study, we will ask for an email address. If your current email address contains any personally-identifying information, we suggest that you set up a free, confidential email with a service provider of your choice. For further protection, we recommend an encrypted email provider such as proton mail (
https://protonmail.com). Your provided email address and any emails to you will not be used in any published material and will be destroyed once the study is complete. Besides an email address, we do not ask for any other personally-identifying information.
General Outline of the Project
There are two surveys involved in this project. In the first survey you will be asked questions about your age, gender and income and any past use of psilocybin mushrooms. You will be asked for specifics regarding your past reasons for using psilocybin mushrooms, the settings you have previously taken them in, your attitudes and any positive or negative outcomes you have experienced. If applicable, you will be asked questions about how you are feeling about your upcoming planned session. Three short psychological questionnaires will be included to assess your overall wellbeing and current levels of depression, anxiety and stress.
The second survey (to be completed at a future date) will ask about your most recent psilocybin mushroom session. This will include questions about how you felt in the week before the session, reasons for use, the dose, setting and any negative or positive outcomes. Psychological questionnaires will assess: how challenging/mystical you found the experience and any psychological insights you may have gained from the experience. We will assess your overall wellbeing and levels of depression, anxiety and stress again to see if there are any changes over time.
Participant Involvement
Participants who agree to participate in the research will be asked to:
- Complete an online survey which will take around 20 minutes
- If relevant, you will be asked to nominate an approximate date for an upcoming planned psilocybin session. You will be sent an email shortly after your nominated date, with a link to complete the second survey
- Complete a second online survey which will take around 20 minutes
Alternatively, you can choose to complete the first survey only. The final date to complete the second survey will be the
8th August 2021. If surveys have not been received, we will send a reminder email to participants in the week leading up to this deadline.
Participation in the research is completely voluntary and participants may, without any penalty, decline to take part or withdraw at any time without providing an explanation or refuse to answer a question.
Confidentiality
Only the researcher/s will have access to the individual information provided by participants. Privacy and confidentiality will be assured at all times. The research outcomes may be presented at conferences and written up for publication. However, in all these publications, the privacy and confidentiality of individuals will be protected.
Anonymity
All reports and publications of the research will contain no information that can identify any individual and all information will be kept in the strictest confidence.
Data Storage
The information collected will be stored securely on a password protected computer throughout the project and then stored at the University of Canberra for the required five year period after which it will be destroyed according to university protocols.
Ethics Committee Clearance
The project has been approved by the Human Research Ethics Committee of the University of Canberra (HREC – 7047).
Queries and Concerns
Queries or concerns regarding the research can be directed to the researcher and/or supervisor.
Contact details are at the top of this form.
If you have any complaints or reservations about the ethical conduct of this research, you may contact the University of Canberra’s Research Ethics & Integrity Unit team via telephone 02 6206 3916 or email
[email protected] or
[email protected]
If you would like some guidance on the questions you could ask about your participation please refer to the Participants’ Guide located at
http://www.canberra.edu.au/ucresearch/attachments/pdf/a-m/Agreeing-to-participate-in-research.pdf
