In recent years, psychedelics research has surged back into mainstream scientific inquiry, revealing their potential in treating a wide range of mental health conditions. Despite promising findings, an important gap remains in the current approach to psychedelic-assisted therapies. This gap lies in the largely medicalised and individualised framework, which often neglects the powerful role that social groups play in human healing. Through my own research and discussions with leading experts in social psychology and the psychedelics field, I believe that integrating the social cure model—grounded in decades of research on the health benefits of social identity—can revolutionise the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapies.
My journey toward this realisation began with my background in anthropology and an appreciation of indigenous ways of knowing, which often value community rituals – something deeply lacking in the medicalised Global North. A decade later, just after I started engaging with psychedelics research, I attended an eye-opening lecture by Professor Alex Haslam. His presentation on the "social cure" model confirmed the profound influence that social groups have on both physical and mental health; even extending our lifespan. The social cure refers to the idea that strong social identities and group memberships can act as a protective factor, fostering resilience, meaning, and a sense of control. What struck me most about the social cure was its potential application to psychedelics research, which had historically overlooked this social dimension, at least in academic domains.
Intrigued by this intersection, I reached out to Leor Roseman, an expert in psychedelic medicine, as well as Alex and Cath Haslam, and their colleague Teagan Cruwys, leaders in the social cure field. Together, we began to explore how the social cure model could serve as a theoretical foundation for socially informed psychedelic-assisted therapies. Our discussions, along with insights from my own previous research on ritual and group bonding, helped shape the perspective presented in our recent article.
The Problem with Current Psychedelics Research (and the Social Cure Solution)
While psychedelic treatments show great promise, the current paradigm typically focuses on individualised sessions, where patients undergo the experience in isolation, often with the support of a therapist but without any broader social context. This contrasts starkly with how psychedelics have been used in Indigenous or even recreational settings, where group rituals and shared experiences are central to the healing process.
The individualised approach has largely been driven by the need to meet the standards of Western biomedical models, which prioritise randomised controlled trials and the isolation of variables to assess the "pure" effect of a drug. In such trials, group dynamics are often seen as "noise" that complicates the analysis. However, this reductionist view misses the potential benefits that come from integrating social factors into therapeutic settings.
We argue that by incorporating group-based therapies into psychedelic treatment protocols, we can leverage the proven benefits of social identity for mental health. Group settings create opportunities for participants to build meaningful connections with others, which in turn enhances their sense of trust, safety, and belonging—all critical factors for processing challenging experiences. This is particularly important in the context of psychedelics, where the dissolution of ego and identity can leave individuals feeling vulnerable. In a group setting, these experiences can be supported by collective bonds, turning them into opportunities for growth and transformation.
Why Is This Important?
The implications of integrating the social cure model into psychedelic-assisted therapies are profound. First, it offers a way to enhance the therapeutic effects of psychedelics by building on what we already know about the power of social groups in mental health. Rather than reinventing the wheel, we can draw on decades of research that demonstrate how social identities provide psychological resources that promote healing.
Furthermore, group-based psychedelic therapies may also offer a more cost-effective approach. In individualised sessions, therapists often spend several hours with each patient, guiding them through the experience and helping them integrate it afterward. In a group setting, the same therapeutic benefits could potentially be achieved with fewer resources, as participants gain support not only from the therapist but also from one another.
Moving Forward
I hope that our work has opened the door to a new line of inquiry in psychedelics research—one that explores the synergistic effects of psychedelics and social identity processes. There is still much to learn about how best to structure group psychedelic therapies, and future research should focus on identifying the most effective ways to cultivate social bonds and shared identities in these settings.
Importantly, this research will need to be culturally sensitive, as the nature of social identities and group dynamics can vary across different cultural contexts. Indigenous communities, for example, often have deeply embedded group rituals surrounding psychedelic use, and there is much we can learn from these practices. However, care must be taken to avoid appropriating these traditions in ways that are disrespectful or harmful.
As psychedelics continue to gain traction as a legitimate form of therapy, I’m keen that we realise the full potential of these substances. The social cure model offers a powerful framework for improving the effectiveness of psychedelic-assisted therapies by integrating the social dimension that has been missing in many modern approaches. By embracing the therapeutic power of group identities and social bonds, we can build on the successes of current research and open up new avenues for healing.