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Naturalistic psilocybin use is associated with persisting improvements in mental health and wellbeing: results from a prospective, longitudinal survey
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.
Naturalistic Psilocybin Use Increases Mind Perception but not Atheist-Believer status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
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.
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Published in PsyArXiv
Shame, guilt and psychedelic experience: Results from a prospective, longitudinal survey of real-world psilocybin use
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.
Download the PDF and read about our results.
Published in PsyArXiv
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Importance of Integrating Spiritual, Existential, Religious, and Theological Components in Psychedelic-Assisted Therapies
Abstract Importance Mounting evidence supports the role of spiritual, existential, religious, and theological components in mediating psychedelic-assisted therapy, yet integration of these elements into the clinical setting is lagging. Observations Although psychedelic-assisted therapy commonly produces spiritually, existentially, religiously, or theologically relevant experiences for patients, these have not been systematically integrated into the psychotherapies that […]
March 11, 2024
The potential synergistic effects between psychedelic administration and nature contact for the improvement of mental health
Abstract Therapeutic psychedelic administration and contact with nature have been associated with the same psychological mechanisms: decreased rumination and negative affect, enhanced psychological connectedness and mindfulness-related capacities, and heightened states of awe and transcendent experiences, all processes linked to improvements in mental health amongst clinical and healthy populations. Nature-based settings can have inherently psychologically […]
Psychedelia: The interplay of music and psychedelics
Abstract Music and psychedelics have been intertwined throughout the existence of Homo sapiens, from the early shamanic rituals of the Americas and Africa to the modern use of psychedelic-assisted therapy for a variety of mental health conditions. Across such settings, music has been highly prized for its ability to guide the psychedelic experience. Here, we […]
March 8, 2024
Use of Benefit Enhancement Strategies Among 5-Methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) Users: Associations with Mystical, Challenging, and Enduring Effects
Abstract 5-Methoxy-N,N-Dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent, fast-acting psychedelic. Anecdotal reports from 5-MeO-DMT users suggest that they employ a variety of benefit enhancement (BE) strategies aimed to increase positive effects and decrease any potential challenging effects of the substance, but no empirical study has investigated this claim. We examined the prevalence of BE strategy use […]
March 7, 2024
Containment Matters: Set and Setting in Contemporary Psychedelic Psychiatry
ABSTRACT: Over the past decade and a half, psychedelic drug-induced experiences have been returning to psychiatry as promising new healing modalities. The case of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy can inform how we think about the context of drug use because psychedelics are commonly considered to be sensitive to the ‘[mind] set and setting’ of their use. As […]
Predicting Reactions to Psychedelic Drugs: A Systematic Review of States and Traits Related to Acute Drug Effects
Abstract Psychedelic drugs are increasingly being incorporated into therapeutic contexts for the purposes of promoting mental health. However, they can also induce adverse reactions in some individuals, and it is difficult to predict before treatment who is likely to experience positive or adverse acute effects. Although consideration of setting and dosage as well as […]
Set and setting predict psychopathology, wellbeing and meaningfulness of psychedelic experiences: a correlational study
ABSTRACT Background In psychedelic therapy, the importance of set and setting is a fundamental but under-researched assumption. The aim of this study is to correlate variables of set (psychedelic use motivation) and setting (psychedelic use location and type of companion) with psychopathology, wellbeing and personality variables. Research design and methods A sample of […]
March 6, 2024
An Overview on the Hallucinogenic Peyote and Its Alkaloid Mescaline: The Importance of Context, Ceremony and Culture
Abstract: Peyote (Lophophora williamsii) is a cactus that contains various biologically active alkaloids— such as pellotine, anhalonidine, hordenine and mescaline. Here, mescaline induces the psychoactive effects of peyote through the activation of the serotonin 5-HT2A receptor and the subsequent release of calcium (Ca2+) from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Moreover, an evaluation of the therapeutic benefits […]
Transformative experience and social connectedness mediate the mood-enhancing effects of psychedelic use in naturalistic settings
Past research suggests that use of psychedelic substances such as LSD or psilocybin may have positive effects on mood and feelings of social connectedness. These psychological effects are thought to be highly sensitive to context, but robust and direct evidence for them in a naturalistic setting is scarce. In a series of field studies involving […]
Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy for the treatment of major depression: a synthesis of phenomenological explanations
Abstract Psychedelic-assisted Psychotherapy (PAP) combines the use of psychedelic compounds, such as psilocybin, with psychotherapy. PAP has shown some promise as a novel treatment for Major Depressive Disorder (MDD), and empirical research suggests that its efficacy turns on the altered states induced by psychedelic compounds. In this paper we draw on the literature of […]
March 5, 2024
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