The set and settings researchers typically use for usual psych studies are going to bias psychedelic results so much. Think that building you hated in undergrad's crusty unlit cinderblock basement with no windows but coated in cameras and microphones. Its so dystopian, you are literally a caged rat. I don't think you can perform this research in good faith without having experienced a proper trip yourself. It's just impossible to put into words much less gleam any actual understanding from written description of it.
Science needs more Albert Hoffman's who are willing to couple their knowledge with this experience without fear of being fired from IRB violation and ostracized by the scientific community. Otherwise we will forever be grasping in the dark with these drugs.
I've never had a good trip indoors. My brain has a knack for staying grounded by familiar settings, so I hardly even experience the trip. Put me outdoors in the dark and my brain can be stimulated by natural sounds which are not nearly as predictable as those I find indoors. I think it has to do with processing stimuli that I can't instantly attribute to something I know very well. I am also normally hypervigilant, which may come into play since I think familiar settings inhibit my ability to fall under the effects of intoxication somewhat. I am also much more likely to try and sleep off any overwhelming feelings if I'm in the aafety/comfort of a house vs the middle of the forest. Setting doesn't necessarily mean the 'safest' space for you since my own home negatively effects the overall experience.
Having someone who is experienced, sober and willing to guide you for hours (lots of trust) is crucial since the opti.al setting may not be the safest setting.
TL;DR - I struggle to trip or even enjoy a trip indoors. I have always felt shrooms work best when you let them help you attune to nature. Listening to the wind, trees, insects, etc... it's like washing your eyeballs with kittens.
Very good points. My understanding from talking to a research assistant, the research groups doing lsd/mdma/psilocybin studies based in Basel and Zürich are led by drug experienced researchers.
Science needs more Albert Hoffman's who are willing to couple their knowledge with this experience without fear of being fired from IRB violation and ostracized by the scientific community. Otherwise we will forever be grasping in the dark with these drugs.