Psychedelics in the age of reproducibility: Reflections on aura, set and setting and the medicalization of mystical-type experiences.

Abstract

Psychedelics induce transformative experiences leading to lasting changes in attitudes and behaviour, with outcomes depending on both pharmacological factors and the context of the experience ('set and setting'), marking a paradigm shift in mental health treatment. As psychedelics transition from traditional contexts to clinical settings, tension emerges between authenticity and standardization. This article uses Walter Benjamin's concept of "aura" (The Work of Art in the Age of Mechanical Reproduction) to examine what may be lost or gained when psychedelic experiences are removed from original contexts and reproduced in institutional settings. We explore how set and setting contribute to authenticity, analyse medicalization's implications, examine the roles of ritual and commodification, and propose ways to integrate traditional context with clinical approaches to preserve psychedelics' transformative potential.

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