Research Title:
PREPARE: Predictors of Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy Response
Principal investigator:
Grace Viljoen
About the researcher:
My background is in neuroscience, having received a BSc in Neuroscience (University of Western Australia), an Honours degree in Biotechnology and Medical Research (University of Tasmania) and a MSc in Medical Neuroscience (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin). The present study is being conducted as part of my PhD.
Research Objective:
This study aims to investigate predictors of response to psychedelic-assisted therapy, elucidating clinical and biological factors that may relate to favourable therapeutic outcomes.
Affiliation:
Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin; Einstein Center for Neurosciences
Research proposal abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy (PAT) is gaining attention for its potential in treating psychiatric and addictive disorders, but research on predictors of therapeutic response remains limited. A systematic review conducted during my master’s thesis identified the intensity of the acute psychedelic experience as a key predictor, though this offers limited guidance for patient screening. Effective screening requires a deeper understanding of baseline characteristics and preparatory factors that influence treatment outcomes. The PREPARE questionnaire was developed to address this gap by capturing nuanced factors, often overlooked in traditional PAT research, that could enhance treatment efficacy.
In addition, the perspectives of therapists actively engaged in PAT have been largely unexplored. This study uses a cross-sectional survey to consult clinical professionals about the key variables they consider important for predicting therapeutic responses across psychiatric and addictive disorders. The focus is on baseline factors such as disorder severity, personality traits and prior drug use, which may inform more effective screening and optimise resource allocation.
Participation
To shed light on these questions, we are collecting valuable observations and experiences from clinicians. This questionnaire is intended for practitioners (psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, psychotherapists, or other mental health professionals) who either provide psychedelic-assisted therapy directly or work with patients/clients in preparation and/or integration of psychedelic experiences (i.e., integration therapists). We welcome participation from individuals conducting psychedelic-assisted therapy in all contexts: legal clinical practice, clinical trials, retreat centres, and ‘underground’ therapy. We are interested in psychedelic-assisted therapy with classic psychedelics (psilocybin, LSD, DMT, ayahuasca, mescaline, peyote) as well as MDMA, ketamine and ibogaine.