PARTICIPANT INFORMATION SHEET
Ethics reference number
ETH2324-0269
Date and version: 27/11/2024, Version 2
Title of study: The Magic of Mushrooms: Exploring the experience of couples taking psilocybin together.
Name of principal researcher
Sophie Rihm, Trainee Counselling Psychologist
Invitation paragraph
We would like to invite you to take part in a research study that explores the experience of couples taking psilocybin together. Before you decide whether you and your partner would like to take part it is important that you understand why the research is being done and what we would ask you to do. Take time to read the following information and discuss it with others if you wish. We are here to answer anything that is unclear and are happy to provide more information if required. You will be given this information to keep.
What is the purpose of the study?
Psychedelics have recently been propelled into the mainstream and research is showing promising outcomes for mental health care. There is little research exploring the recreational use of psychedelics in adult couples in a committed relationship and it is mainly anecdotal evidence that shines light on this phenomenon.
The purpose is to create a detailed account of two couples who have together taken psilocybin allowing for exploration of the experience from various angles. It aims to understand the motivations, processes and potential changes a couple experiences as a result of taking psilocybin (magic mushrooms) together. This study is being conducted as part of the researchers Doctoral programme in Counselling Psychology.
What is required to take part in the study?
The inclusion criteria for this study are as follows:
- Both members are required to be aged 18 or older.
- The study is open to all forms of romantic relationships, including same-sex relationships providing they are monogamous and lasting at least three years at point of interview.
- Both members of the couple should have used psilocybin at least once with their partner in the past 12 months.
- You no children under the age of 18 living at
- Written and spoken English to a standard that allows comprehension of the study documents and complete the interview process.
- UK-based.
The exclusion criteria for this study are as follows:
- If you are currently experiencing a period of serious mental distress.
- Have past experiences that could be triggered as a result of recounting a psilocybin trip.
Do I have to take part?
Participation in the project is voluntary, and you can choose not to participate in part or all of the project. You can withdraw at any stage of the project without being penalised or disadvantaged in any way. It is up to you to decide whether or not to take part. If you do decide to take part, you will be asked to sign a consent form. You are still free to withdraw at any time and without giving a reason. If the interviews has taken place already before your decision to withdraw, the recording will be deleted. Once the interviews have been transcribed and your information deidentified, you will no longer be able to withdraw your data. To withdraw, please contact the researcher up to two weeks after the second interview has taken place.
What will happen if I take part?
Initially, you and your partner will be invited to a pre-screening call where we will cover the relevant information of this study and confirm the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This is also an opportunity for both of you to ask any questions you may have about the study.
If satisfactory, you will both be invited to the following:
- A 90-minute joint interview, which will take place online via Microsoft Teams. The interview will start by collecting personal information, which is followed by a semi-structured interview. The researcher has interview questions prepared that focus on your preparation, motivations, experience, the impact on your relationship and integration into everyday life. Potential questions may include: Tell me about your personal experience whilst on the magic mushroom trip or How is your relationship after taking magic mushrooms together? These questions will serve as a foundation, but we also encourage an open dialogue about your experience. The interview will be recorded using an encrypted device and stored on a computer only the researcher has access to.
- You will then be invited to a solo 60-minute interview, where you’ll be asked to bring an object, drawing, piece of music, poem, or anything else that you feel represents your psilocybin journey with your partner and that you feel comfortable sharing. You will be asked to write a short paragraph about this, and you will be asked a few questions about the item in the solo interview. Please note that the object should not be identifiable, for example, you are not permitted to bring a photograph.
After the interviews, the researcher will offer you a call to check in after the interviews. You have two weeks following completion of the second interview to withdraw from the study should you wish to do so. After the two weeks, the researcher will transcribe your interviews and start analyzing the data.
What are the possible benefits of taking part?
- You contribute to our expanding knowledge and understanding of the experiences associated with psychedelic substances in a relational context.
- It may provide you with an opportunity of introspection and reflection on your recent psilocybin experience together.
- By taking part, you are actively contributing to the advancement of scientific knowledge within the field of psychedelic research. Your involvement can therefore potentially benefit others by informing therapeutic practices, improving guidelines and promote the responsible use of psychedelics within relationships.
What are the possible disadvantages and risks of taking part?
- Before the interviews, the researcher will arrange a conversation with you to discuss your current well-being to determine whether it is safe and appropriate for you to take part.
- The interviews itself might invoke difficult emotions, however, the researcher will support you and sign post you to services if relevant.
Is the information I share during the pre-screening and during the interviews confidential?
The researcher has an obligation to break confidentiality in two instances:
- If the researcher believes that there is serious harm done to self or others.
- Any disclosures about money laundering, terrorism or other serious drug- related offences. Please note that this also includes supplying drugs to friends.
The researcher will always attempt to speak with the participants before breaking confidentiality. In both instances, the researcher is obligated to report this information to the police by calling 101. In emergencies, the researcher will involve emergency services by contacting 999.
How will my identity be protected if I decide to take part in the study?
The researcher recognizes that drug taking remains illegal in the UK and will therefore follow strict guidelines to protect yourself and your identity. These are as follows:
- Collecting personal contact information will be limited to an email address for correspondence purposes. This information will be deleted once the interviews have been transcribed.
- The interviews will take place on Microsoft Teams and recorded on an audio recording device. Both softwares comply with GDPR regulations.
- Once interviews have been transcribed, identifying information from the interviews will be deidentified by altering the context, whilst maintaining authenticity of the data.
- A pseudonym will be used in the final write up of the study.
Conflicts of interests
There is no conflict on interests.
What should I do if I want to take part?
To express your interest in taking part in the study, you and your partner are invited to fill out this form. The researcher will then contact you both to arrange a pre-screening call.
Data privacy statement
City, University of London is the sponsor and the data controller of this study based in the United Kingdom. This means that we are responsible for looking after your information and using it properly. The legal basis under which your data will be processed is City’s public task.
Your right to access, change or move your information are limited, as we need to manage your information in a specific way in order for the research to be reliable and accurate. To safeguard your rights, we will use the minimum personal-identifiable information possible (for further information please see visit the following site.
City will use your name and contact details to contact you about the research study as necessary. If you wish to receive the results of the study, your contact details will also be kept for this purpose. The only people at City who will have access to your identifiable information will be the researcher and their supervisor. City will keep identifiable information about you up until the completion of the study.
You can find out more about how City handles data by visiting https://www.city.ac.uk/about/governance/legal. If you are concerned about how we have processed your personal data, you can contact the Information Commissioner’s Office (IOC).
What will happen to the results?
The results of this study will be written up and presented in the researchers’ Doctoral portfolio as part of their thesis. The results and write up of the study may also be published. If you wish to view the results of the study, please visit the studies website, as we will not keep your contact information on file to protect your identity.
Who has reviewed the study?
This study has been reviewed by, and received ethics clearance through the Senate Research Ethics Committee, City, University of London.
What if there is a problem?
If you have any problems, concerns or questions about this study, you should ask to speak to a member of the research team. If you would like to complain about any aspects of the study, please contact Annah Whyton, Secretary to the Senate Research Ethics Committee at senaterec@city.ac.uk.
City, University of London is the data controller for the personal data collected for this research project. If you have any data protection concerns about this research project, please contact City’s Information Compliance Team at dataprotection@city.ac.uk.
Insurance
City, University London holds insurance policies which apply to this study, subject to the terms and conditions of the policy. If you feel you have been harmed or injured by taking part in this study you may be eligible to claim compensation. This does not affect your legal rights to seek compensation. If you are harmed due to someone’s negligence, then you may have grounds for legal action.
Further information and contact details
Sophie Rihm (Principal Researcher): sophie.rihm@city.ac.uk
Dr Holly Kahya (Research Supervisor): holly.kahya@city.ac.uk
Thank you for taking the time to read this information sheet.