Invitation Paragraph
I would like to invite you to participate in this research project which forms part of our female-specific psychedelic use research. Before you decide whether you want to take part, it is important for you to understand why the research is being done and what your participation will involve. Please take time to read the following information carefully and discuss it with others if you wish. Ask me if there is anything that is not clear or if you would like more information.
What is the purpose of the study?
The purpose of the study is to understand the complexities and changes women experience throughout their lives. As psychedelic medicines move toward clinical use, it is of paramount importance to explore their interactions with female-specific biology, symptoms, and conditions to ensure the safety and effectiveness of these therapies for women.
Why have I been invited to take part?
You are being invited to participate in this study because you are a female person over the age of 18 who has used psychedelic substances at one point in your life.
What will happen if I take part?
If you agree to take part you will complete a survey anonymously. The survey will ask you questions about your personal experience with your menstrual cycle and past use of psychedelic substances, e.g. “Did your menstrual cycle's length change after the psychedelic experience?” and “If you are on birth control currently, which option most closely describes your situation?”. The survey will take you approximately 10-15 minutes to complete.
Do I have to take part?
Participation is completely voluntary. You should only take part if you want to and choosing not to take part will not disadvantage you in any way. If you choose to take part you will be asked to provide your consent. To do this you will be asked to indicate that you have read and understand the information provided and that you consent to your anonymous data being used for the purposes explained.
You are free to withdraw at any point during the completion of the survey, without having to give a reason by closing the window in your browser. Withdrawing from the study will not affect you in any way. Once you submit the survey, it will no longer be possible to withdraw from the study because the data will be fully anonymous. Please do not include any personal identifiable information in your responses.
Incentives
By participating in and completing this survey, you will be given the opportunity to enter into a prize draw in order to win a £50 Amazon gift voucher.
What are the possible risks of taking part?
The participation in this survey might involve being confronted with uncomfortable questions about your own body and menstrual cycle. The survey will also pertain to menopause, which can be a difficult topic for some as it can be a challenging time in a woman’s life. Furthermore, you will be asked to disclose previous diagnoses, which might bring up painful memories. You will be provided with mental health resources and helplines before starting the survey, which you should feel free to contact at any point during the process of participating should it feel needed. You are also free to stop participating in the survey at any point by closing the window in your browser and not returning to the questionnaire after. There is also a risk of disclosing illegal activity, such as substance intake.
