Against the backdrop of escalating sustainability dialogues, a compelling query emerges: Can psychedelics play a role in shaping more eco-friendly futures?

In an age defined by mounting environmental crises and a growing demand for sustainable innovations, psychedelics are surfacing, not solely because of their therapeutic promise, but also for their ability to evoke profound shifts in consciousness.

What can psychedelics potentially do for better futures by design?

How do psychedelics enhance creative processes and cognitive abilities, and what is the potential impact on human creativity, cognition, and innovation?

This research delves into the intriguing relationship between psychedelics and creativity, exploring how these substances can enhance creative processes. Throughout history, there has been a profound connection between psychedelics and creative genius, with renowned figures in various fields attesting to their influence, including Cary Grant, Steve Jobs, Susan Sarandon, Joe Rogan, Yoko Ono, and Elon Musk.

As humans continually seek ways to optimise cognitive abilities and boost creativity, psychedelics emerge as potential catalysts for cognitive enhancement, creative exploration, and increased productivity. Recognising their transformative potential, we stand at the cusp of a new era where psychedelics may shape the future of human creativity, cognition, and innovation.

This research explores the effects of psychedelics, such as LSD or psilocybin, on inducing altered states of consciousness that promote divergent thinking, increased flexibility, novel associations, and improved problem-solving abilities. The intersection of psychedelics and creativity offers a captivating frontier for exploration, holding the promise of unlocking untapped creative potential and reshaping our understanding of human creativity.

How can intentional design choices in physical and digital settings for psychedelic experiences optimise their therapeutic and transformative potential, considering factors such as comfort, aesthetics, nature-inspired elements, immersive digital environments, user-friendly interfaces, and audiovisual stimulation?

The research explores the design of physical and digital settings for psychedelic experiences, focusing on the role of intentional design choices in optimising their therapeutic and transformative potential.

Here, we focus on the significance of creating comfortable and aesthetically pleasing physical environments for psychedelic sessions. We examine the impact of various factors, including lighting, colours, textures, and furnishings, in establishing a soothing and inviting atmosphere. Furthermore, the research explores using natural elements to foster a connection with nature, promoting harmony and tranquillity. Additionally, we are curious about the potential benefits of carefully curated music, sounds, scents, and visual elements in evoking specific moods, guiding the psychedelic journey, and enhancing the emotional and sensory dimensions of the experience.

Researchers and designers can create environments that facilitate introspection, emotional exploration, and personal growth by considering comfort, safety, aesthetics, nature-inspired elements, immersive digital environments, user-friendly interfaces, and audiovisual stimulation. We aim to provide valuable insights to create transformative and impactful settings for psychedelic therapy and recreational use.

What are the potential impact and ethical considerations of integrating Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) technologies in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and recreational psychedelic use, and how can these technologies enhance therapeutic outcomes, experiences, and user well-being?

This research investigates the role of Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), Mixed Reality (MR), and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in both psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy and recreational psychedelic use. It explores these emerging technologies' potential benefits and challenges in enhancing therapeutic outcomes and recreational experiences.

In the context of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, we examine how VR, AR, MR, and AI can create immersive environments, provide tailored interventions, and support the integration of psychedelic experiences. These technologies have the potential to enhance the safety, accessibility, and efficacy of therapeutic treatments, offering new possibilities for individuals undergoing psychedelic therapy.

While acknowledging ethical considerations, such as privacy and consent, the research emphasises the responsible and evidence-based implementation of VR, AR, MR, and AI in psychedelic therapy and recreational use. Furthermore, we explore the potential of VR, AR, MR, and AI to augment aesthetic and sensory aspects, facilitate personal exploration, and provide harm-reduction tools.

How can user experience (UX) design impact the effectiveness and engagement of psychedelic digital products, and how can UX designers create intuitive, safe, and transformative interfaces that meet the evolving needs of psychedelic users?

The research examines the crucial role of User Experience (UX) design in developing psychedelic digital products. It highlights the need for UX designers to understand the complexities of altered states of consciousness and to design interfaces that foster trust, emotional support, and a sense of security.

Furthermore, the research emphasises the significance of incorporating user feedback and iterative design processes to ensure continuous improvement and alignment with psychedelic users' evolving needs and expectations. We recognise the interdisciplinary nature of this domain, necessitating collaboration between UX designers, psychologists, neuroscientists, and other relevant stakeholders.

Considering these factors, we look into the potential of well-designed psychedelic digital products in promoting personal growth, therapeutic interventions, and expanded consciousness. We aim to share practical insights and recommendations for UX designers, researchers, companies and practitioners navigating the dynamic landscape of psychedelic user experiences in the digital realm.