Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS)

The Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS) is a validated, self-report measure designed to assess an individual's level of preparedness for a psychedelic experience.

Scale Description

The PPS consists of 20 items categorised into four factors:

  1. Knowledge-Expectation

  2. Psychophysical-Readiness

  3. Intention-Preparation

  4. Support-Planning

Each item is rated on a 7-point Likert scale ranging from "Not at all" to "Completely". The scale is available in two versions: retrospective and prospective.

Retrospective Version

The retrospective version of the PPS is designed to assess an individual's level of preparedness after a psychedelic experience. This version uses past tense language and asks respondents to reflect on their preparation prior to the experience. You can find the retrospective version of the PPS in the supplementary material of the original paper (McAlpine et al., 2024).

Prospective Version

The prospective version of the PPS is intended to measure an individual's level of preparedness before a planned psychedelic experience. This version uses future tense language and asks respondents to consider their current state of preparedness. The prospective version of the PPS can also be found in the supplementary material of the original paper (McAlpine et al., 2024).

Scoring

To calculate the total PPS score, sum the ratings for all 20 items. Scores can range from 20 to 140, with higher scores indicating greater levels of psychedelic preparedness. Subscale scores can be calculated by summing the ratings for the items within each factor.

Reliability

The PPS has demonstrated good to excellent reliability in both its retrospective and prospective versions. The original research by McAlpine et al. (2024) reported the following reliability findings:

Internal Consistency: The 20 items of the PPS showed excellent total scale reliability (McDonald's omega (ω) = 0.945, 95% CI 0.940-0.949). The subscales also demonstrated good to excellent reliability:

  • Knowledge-Expectation (ω = 0.890, 95% CI 0.880-0.900)

  • Psychophysical-Readiness (ω = 0.865, 95% CI 0.854-0.877)

  • Intention-Preparation (ω = 0.828, 95% CI 0.813-0.844)

  • Support-Planning (ω = 0.799, 95% CI 0.782-0.817)

Test-Retest Reliability: A sub-sample (N = 296) completed the PPS twice, with a two-week interval between assessments. The test-retest reliability was found to be good for the total PPS score (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.76) and the four subscales:

  • Knowledge-Expectation (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.79)

  • Psychophysical-Readiness (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.74)

  • Intention-Preparation (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.62)

  • Support-Planning (ρ = 0.77, p < 0.001, ICC = 0.70)

Licensing and Fees

The PPS is openly available for use in research and clinical settings. There are no licensing requirements or fees associated with using the scale. When using the PPS, please cite the original paper:

McAlpine, R. G., Blackburne, G., & Kamboj, S. K. (2024). Development and psychometric validation of a novel scale for measuring 'psychedelic preparedness'. Scientific Reports, 14(1), 1-15.

Administration Guidelines

The PPS can be administered on paper or using an electronic platform. There are no specific guidelines for paper data collection or requirements for the placement of scale headers and footers.

Translations

Currently, the PPS is only available in English. Validation of the scale in other languages is encouraged. If you are interested in translating the PPS into another language, please contact the authors for guidance on the translation process.

Contact Information

For any questions or inquiries about the Psychedelic Preparedness Scale, please contact the corresponding author:

Rosalind G. McAlpine Email: rosalind.mcalpine.18@ucl.ac.uk

Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS) - Factor Scoring

To calculate the scores for each factor, sum the ratings for the items within that factor.

  • Knowledge-Expectation (Items: 1, 2, 5, 6, 16)

  • Psychophysical-Readiness (Items: 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 15)

  • Intention-Preparation (Items: 3, 4, 7, 18)

  • Support-Planning (Items: 13, 14, 17, 19, 20)

  • Total Psychedelic Preparedness Score (All Items)

Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS) - Retrospective Version

In relation to your psychedelic experience, indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements.

1 = Not at all, 2 = A little, 3 = More than a little, 4 = Moderately, 5 = Considerably, 6 = Very much, 7 = Completely

  1. I had done some of my own research into the effects of the psychedelic substance (e.g., reading articles/books, watching videos, listening to podcasts etc)

  2. I understood that the experience could evoke a range of intense emotions, from bliss to horror

  3. I had a clear intention for the psychedelic experience

  4. I had carefully contemplated my reasons for taking a psychedelic substance

  5. I understood that events from my past could surface into the psychedelic experience

  6. I knew that my experience would be somewhat unpredictable

  7. I spoke with a therapist/counsellor as part of my preparation for the psychedelic experience

  8. I was ready to experience whatever 'came up' during the psychedelic experience

  9. I was prepared to deal with uncomfortable and challenging aspects of the psychedelic experience

  10. I felt ready to surrender to whatever the psychedelic experience would be

  11. I felt psychologically prepared for the psychedelic experience

  12. I was prepared for the physical effects of the psychedelic

  13. I felt a trusting, positive connection with the people who were going to be around me during the experience

  14. I felt the substance would be safe to take

  15. I trusted my own mind and body to safely process the experience

  16. I was aware that the psychedelic experience might change me in some way

  17. My family and/or friends were prepared and well-informed about the changes that could occur in me

  18. I engaged with specific preparation practices before the psychedelic experience (e.g., meditation, yoga, breathwork, journaling, diet, exercise)

  19. I had made a plan for what I would do in the hours and days after the psychedelic experience

  20. I had prepared some strategies in case things started to get difficult during the psychedelic experience

Psychedelic Preparedness Scale (PPS) - Prospective Version

In relation to your upcoming psychedelic experience, indicate the degree to which you agree with the following statements.

1 = Not at all, 2 = A little, 3 = More than a little, 4 = Moderately, 5 = Considerably, 6 = Very much, 7 = Completely

  1. I have done some of my own research into the effects of the psychedelic substance (e.g., reading articles/books, watching videos, listening to podcasts etc)

  2. I understand that the experience might evoke a range of intense emotions, from bliss to horror

  3. I have a clear intention for the psychedelic experience

  4. I have carefully contemplated my reasons for taking a psychedelic substance

  5. I understand that events from my past could surface into the psychedelic experience

  6. I know that my experience will be somewhat unpredictable

  7. I have spoken with a therapist/counsellor as part of my preparation for the psychedelic experience

  8. I am ready to experience whatever 'comes up' during the psychedelic experience

  9. I am prepared to deal with uncomfortable and challenging aspects of the psychedelic experience

  10. I feel ready to surrender to whatever the psychedelic experience will be

  11. I feel psychologically prepared for the psychedelic experience

  12. I am prepared for the physical effects of the psychedelic

  13. I feel a trusting, positive connection with the people who are going to be around me during the experience

  14. I feel the substance will be safe to take

  15. I trust my own mind and body to safely process the experience

  16. I am aware that the psychedelic experience might change me in some way

  17. My family and/or friends are prepared and well-informed about the changes that could occur in me

  18. I have engaged with specific preparation practices (e.g., meditation, yoga, breathwork, journaling, diet, exercise)

  19. I have made a plan for what I will do in the hours and days after the psychedelic experience

  20. I have prepared some strategies in case things started to get difficult during the psychedelic experience