As psychedelic therapies quietly gain acceptance in wellness and mental health, the platform SetSet is at the forefront, blending science, community, and education to redefine the path to healing.
The potential for psychedelics in mental health care is immense; increasing data show relief from conditions including depression, anxiety, and PTSD from just one psychedelic experience. Yet the industry is still plagued by legislative and consumer challenges, making these treatments difficult, and often illegal, to access.
With many psychedelics classified as Schedule I substances, there is a longstanding belief that they hold no accepted medical use and have a high risk of abuse. April Pride, founder of SetSet, a platform aimed at bridging the knowledge gap between consumers and medical providers for safe microdosing of psychedelics, says reevaluating and rescheduling these substances will require extensive advocacy, scientific evidence, and legislative change. Moreover, a deeply ingrained stigma surrounding psychedelics, shaped by years of prohibition, has fostered resistance within both the public and medical communities. Overcoming this barrier “will require comprehensive education initiatives, continuous public dialogue, and visible endorsement from respected figures in medicine and science,” Pride told Ethos via email.
Equally challenging is the financial burden associated with psychedelic-assisted therapies. Even if treatments gain FDA approval, the cost for such services remains steep, with prices reaching up to $30,000, Pride says. Without insurance coverage, many patients who could benefit may not have access. According to Pride, addressing this accessibility gap is crucial to ensuring equitable mental health care options.
Building a curriculum for psychedelic integration
Last year, SetSet introduced an innovative 12-week psilocybin microdosing program, developed in collaboration with licensed psychotherapist Kendra Bloom. The program, “Micro-Psyched,” is based on the “Neurobiology of Change” and targets women interested in exploring microdosing protocols. The original program ran over three months, aligning with the menstrual cycle — a practice influenced by insights from Mikaela de la Myco. “The weeks were broken down by themes,” Pride says. Bloom led the group through guided practices, and reflection questions were provided for journaling.
Afterward, Bloom and Pride revamped the curriculum into six modules that could be applied to any psychedelic treatment, not just psilocybin. The program also evolved to become “medicine and dose agnostic,” allowing users to engage with multiple types of psychedelics under the same guidance. According to SetSet’s website, future developments include audio guides for several substances, including LSD, ketamine, and MDMA. Bloom is currently collaborating with Dr. Mark Shortt, an expert in ketamine-assisted therapy, to further refine these resources. SetSet’s platform ensures that new scientific insights are integrated quickly, offering timely updates and member-requested content.
SetSet’s content is developed in collaboration with licensed professionals who specialize in psychedelic integration. This collaboration distinguishes the platform as a reliable resource, as there is currently no other platform that offers accessible, medically guided information for safe microdosing. “We create our content in collaboration with licensed medical professionals who actively practice psychedelic integration,” Pride says. The goal is to provide a trustworthy foundation for consumers exploring this emerging field of therapy.
Reaching more users
SetSet aims to expand its user base to 10,000 founding members, though funding remains a critical barrier. With a goal of raising $2 million, the company is planning digital campaigns and outreach to mental health professionals who may refer patients to its services. Pride is optimistic about SetSet’s future, focusing on building trust within the medical community and scaling the platform’s offerings.
“I foresee a paradigm shift that systematically incorporates these transformative substances into both mental health and general medical practices,” Pride says. “Psychedelics possess incredible potential for treating conditions like PTSD, depression, and anxiety, which traditional treatments often fail to adequately address. In the coming years, I believe we will see rigorous clinical trials further validating the effectiveness of psychedelics, leading to FDA approval and mainstream acceptance.”
For now, Pride and SetSet are increasing efforts to reduce stigma, increase access, and educate both the public and medical communities, psychedelic treatments could revolutionize the way mental health is addressed, Pride says. “The future of psychedelics in healthcare is bright and transformative, promising innovative solutions for mental health and a holistic approach to well-being that could revolutionize medicine as we know it.”
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