Intention-Setting among Recreational Psychedelic Users: Associated Acute Effects and Changes in Well-Being

Psychedelic intentions play an important role in shaping acute psychedelic experiences and influencing long-term outcomes. Limited existing literature suggests that different types of intentions are linked to acute experiences and outcomes in varying ways. However, data on the types of intentions set by recreational users remain scarce, and their effects lack clarity. This study investigates intention-setting practices among recreational psychedelic users, aiming to establish a taxonomy of intentions in naturalistic use contexts and clarify user perspectives on the impact of intention-setting. We also examine how domain-specific intentions correlate with acute psychedelic effects and changes in well-being. Finally, we test a model for effective intentionsetting to achieve beneficial outcomes. The results show that the most common types of intentions focus on self-discovery and personal growth, as well as healing and mental health. Participants often reported that intention-setting provided direction and cognitive focus as well as positive emotional anchoring. Intentions related to mental health, self-expansion, and physical health and habits were positively linked with mystical experiences, emotional breakthroughs, challenging experiences, improvements in well-being, and reductions in dysfunctional attitudes. Recreational intentions, however, did not significantly correlate with emotional breakthroughs, challenging experiences, or reductions in dysfunctional attitudes, and were negatively linked to improvements in well-being. Finally, intentions that were specific, relevant, flexible, and integrated after the psychedelic experience predicted improvements in well-being.