Paper short abstract:

We investigated whether the substance use influences the link between childhood trauma and the severity of depersonalization. The quality of the experience may be responsible for depersonalization. Anthropology might contribute to the investigation of the quality of the psychedelic experience.

Paper long abstract:

In a current study we investigated whether the use of classic psychedelics and dissociatives significantly influences the link between childhood trauma and the severity of depersonalization, a facet of dissociation. Results indicate that there is no mediation or moderation effect for substance use on the link between childhood trauma and depersonalization. We thus hypothesized that the quality of the experience of substance use (see Carhart-Harris et al., 2018; Hartogsohn, 2016, 2017) particularly the context (often referred to as set and setting) substances are used in rather than its sheer quantity may be responsible for the manifestation of depersonalization.

The present paper attempts to outline how anthropological research might contribute to the (multidisciplinary) investigation of the quality of the psychedelic experience particularly regarding intra- and inter-cultural contexts and the subsequent (psychotherapeutic) integration of the experience.