Set and setting

Set and setting refers to the context for psychoactive and particularly psychedelic drug experiences: one's mindset (shortened to 'set') and the physical and social environment (the 'setting') in which the user has the experience. This is especially relevant for psychedelic experiences where the drug dose does not reliably produce predictable effects, making the "set" and "setting" of the drug use important.

Set

The 'set' is the internal attitudes and constitution of the person: their personality, their mood, their expectations, their personal history, and their level of experience with the substance. The 'set' can significantly influence the direction, mood, and intensity of one's experience. For example, a person who takes a psychedelic drug in a fearful or uncertain mindset may have a bad trip, whereas a person who takes the same drug in a comfortable setting and in a happy mood may have a positive experience.

Setting

The 'setting' is the physical and social environment in which the drug use occurs. This can include the location, the weather, the user's level of comfort in the environment, the presence (or absence) of other people, and the nature of the activities in which the user engages during or after the drug use. The 'setting' can also significantly influence the user's experience. For example, a person who uses a psychedelic drug in a safe, comfortable, and familiar environment is more likely to have a positive experience than a person who uses the same drug in an unfamiliar, uncomfortable, or threatening environment.

History

The concept of 'set and setting' was popularized by Timothy Leary, a psychologist and researcher at Harvard University, in the 1960s. Leary conducted experiments with psilocybin and LSD and found that the set and setting significantly influenced the type of experiences that people had when they used these drugs.

Importance

The concept of 'set and setting' is considered crucial in the field of psychopharmacology, as it has significant implications for how drugs are used and the experiences that individuals have. It is particularly relevant in the context of psychedelic therapy, where careful attention is paid to the set and setting to ensure a therapeutic outcome.

See also

• Psychedelic therapy
• Psychedelic experience
• Timothy Leary
• Psychopharmacology

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