©2023 Unlimited Sciences. All rights reserved.
In 2018, Unlimited Sciences was founded as a psychedelic research nonprofit that combines the power of data and lived experiences to serve the community, educate the public, and inform common-sense practices and policies. Our founders recognized the need for research on how psilocybin is used in a naturalistic setting (outside of clinical research) and how the experience that psilocybin invokes can be offered safely at scale. Our team acknowledged that in order to advance the cause, we would need to do this research ourselves.
After Unlimited Sciences conceptualized this study, we approached the Center for Psychedelic and Consciousness Research at Johns Hopkins Medicine to partner on a ground-breaking large-scale longitudinal psilocybin study. Since then, together with leading scientists at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, we developed and conducted the largest IRB-approved study of longitudinal psilocybin use.
From conceptualization of the design through to dissemination of results, Unlimited Sciences has supported this research at every step.
This prospective, longitudinal study comprised six sequential surveys that collected data from adults planning to take psilocybin outside clinical research: at time of consent, 2 weeks before, the day before, 1–3 days after, 2–4 weeks after, and 2–3 months after. Results from this study, the largest prospective survey of naturalistic psilocybin use to date, support the potential for psilocybin to produce lasting improvements in mental health symptoms and general wellbeing.
We observed increases in mind perception across a variety of living and non-living targets (e.g., plants, animals). However, we found little to no change in metaphysical beliefs (e.g., dualism) or Atheist-Believer status. Taken together, these findings contrast with those from cross-sectional studies that psychedelic experiences result in changes to Atheist-Believer status and non-naturalistic beliefs but support the relevance of mind perception and mentalization.
Published in PsyArXiv
Acute experiences of shame or guilt occur commonly with psilocybin, are generally mild in nature but also range to more severe, and are predicted by younger age (for both shame and guilt) and higher trait anxiety (for shame only). In this sample, approximately two-thirds reported some degree of guilt or shame during psilocybin use. Psilocybin on average produces small but enduring decreases in trait shame within the context of largely purposeful and intentional use.
Published in PsyArXiv
We believe that this study is scientifically important. We invite you to participate because we need to collect responses from many different people and your input could materially evolve our collective scientific understanding of psilocybin’s effects on the human mind.
Multiple coupon code rewards are available for participating in this study. The first coupon code will be sent automatically when you complete Survey 3. All additional coupon codes will be delivered upon completion of the study. These coupon codes will be redeemable directly at a range of sponsor companies for a variety of items including resources, gear, and event tickets, valued at up to $50.
Participation in this study involves filling out a sequence of online surveys (as outlined above) that will take between 10 and 30 minutes each. You will be required to complete each survey in one sitting.
In the initial survey, you will be asked questions about your demographics (e.g., age, sex), as well as your lifestyle and wellbeing. Psychological questionnaires are also included to assess personality traits, and overall health. Immediately prior to and after the session you will be asked about your level of rest and recent nutrition, the specifics of the session setting and dosage, and the psychological and physiological aspects of your experience. Finally, we will be collecting similar data to the initial survey (e.g., lifestyle, wellbeing, health) in the weeks after your session to understand any changes that may take place over time.
Your participation in this study is voluntary. Reviewing this information and completing this initial screening form will serve as your consent to be in the overall study. Even after you complete this screening form, you may stop participating at any time. If you stop early, only your responses up to that point will be used in analysis. At any time during the study you will be able to contact the study team to request that your data be removed from the study and end your participation by clicking a study opt-out link included in each of our communications.
Your personally-identifying information will only be collected for the purposes of sending you each of the surveys in this study. Your personal information (e.g., email address) will be destroyed soon after the final follow-up has been completed, or within 6 months of the date of intended psilocybin use. During and after this period, your anonymous responses will be seen and analyzed by Johns Hopkins staff or representatives. The study data will be hosted on a secure website (www.Qualtrics.com). Qualtrics is a reputable and secure platform for conducting survey research online that is approved for use by Johns Hopkins. To further protect the confidentiality of participants, the results of this study will be presented in aggregate. We may quote from your textual responses. However, if you provide specific identifying information, we will edit your responses to protect your confidentiality.
We believe that this study is scientifically important. We invite you to participate because we need to collect responses from many different people and your input could materially evolve our collective scientific understanding of psilocybin’s effects on the human mind.
Please note that this study does not in any way provide access to, condone or encourage the use of psilocybin or psychedelic drugs, in general. Unlimited Sciences assumes no responsibility or liability, in whole or in part, for any psilocybin-related or general effects on survey respondents.
©2023 Unlimited Sciences. All rights reserved.
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