Team publishes largest-ever dataset on real-world psychedelic support interactions
"The Fireside Database: Large-Scale Evidence from 25,419 Psychedelic Support Interactions," published in Science Advances, provides researchers and policymakers with an empirical window into psychedelic use and support outside clinical settings.
The Fireside Database, a large-scale dataset detailing 25,419 psychedelic support interactions, has been published in Science Advances. Conducted over a four-year period from April 2021 to February 2026, the study analyzed interactions with the Fireside Project's Psychedelic Support Line and 2,777 post-interaction satisfaction surveys.
It is the largest dataset of its kind ever compiled, providing researchers and policymakers with a unique empirical window into psychedelic use outside clinical settings. The database captures structured information about substances used, distress levels, social settings, presenting concerns, support techniques, and demographics when voluntarily disclosed, as well as thousands of open-ended survey responses.
Psilocybin was the most commonly reported substance, appearing in 59.9% of substance-coded interactions, while cannabis accounted for 12.8%. The dataset also revealed 43 instances of facilitator abuse, predominantly associated with ceremonial settings and plant medicines. This quantitative signal of potential harms in unregulated settings warrants further investigation.
The dataset's structure enables researchers to investigate supporter effects, which could inform the selection and training of psychedelic therapists, facilitators, and harm-reduction workers.
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