This report sought to identify new participant insights relevant to psychedelic research. It is important not to underestimate the vast and life-changing impact the psychedelic trials had on the four participants who took part, however, every participant had unique and different experiences and this will be true of all participants undertaking a psychedelic trial. This highlights how critical seeking to eliminate bias in every participant interaction is, to protect the participants from unfulfilled expectations. The participants look forward to a future where their feedback and perspectives directly impact future participants' clinical trial support and where feasible, peer support is available to participants post-trials.

We acknowledge the inherent limitations of this report, such as sample size constraints and biases due to all participants receiving an active study drug. Future research should prioritise participants with more varied trial experiences and explicitly explore factors such as race, ethnicity, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability and socioeconomic status to better understand the nuanced experiences of recognised marginalised communities within psychedelic clinical trials. Additionally, incorporating an intersectional lens and engaging with diverse stakeholders will foster greater inclusivity and equity in psychedelic research. The latter though is dependent on ensuring inclusive and diverse recruitment into psychedelic clinical trials.

Beckley Psytech commitment

Through this collaboration with PsyPAN, BPL has gained invaluable insight into participants' experiences within psychedelic clinical trials, all of which serve to evolve our current trial support. We recognised the need to identify ways to support the participant community following trials and have provided PsyPAN with funding for a feasibility assessment of a post-trial peer support model. As a result of the feasibility study, we were proud to fund an unrestricted grant to PsyPAN to initiate an industry-wide post-participant peer support pilot program. The 12-month pilot is currently available to 20 UK-based participants who have taken part in a psychedelic-based clinical trial for a serious mental health illness. PsyPAN will facilitate monthly virtual sessions and trained co-facilitators will lead each session, starting with a meditation and grounding exercise. To provide some structure, a loose topic will be presented at the beginning of each meeting for inspiration and reflection.

The participants will be asked to consider the impact of the peer support program and PsyPAN plan to publish these findings following the end of the pilot. Should the pilot program be successful and PsyPAN receive adequate funding, PsyPAN is keen to expand the program to more countries in order to contribute to a scalable peer support ecosystem.

Acknowledgements

Thank you to the participants who bravely and openly shared their lived experiences with us in order to amplify the participant’s voices in psychedelic clinical research. Thank you also to Beckley Psytech team members for sharing their insight and expertise.
The participants will be asked to consider the impact of the peer support program and PsyPAN plan to publish these findings following the end of the pilot. Should the pilot program be successful and PsyPAN receive adequate funding, PsyPAN is keen to expand the program to more countries in order to contribute to a scalable peer support ecosystem.