Psychedelic Research Papers

This observational study (n=16.255) investigates the association between naturalistic psychedelic use and self-reported psychotic or manic symptoms in adolescents, utilizing a genetically informative design. Results suggest that psychedelic use may be associated with reduced psychotic symptoms after adjusting for other drug use, while associations with manic symptoms seem to be linked to genetic vulnerability to schizophrenia or bipolar I disorder.

This observational study (n=231) examines the relationship between childhood trauma, challenging experiences during acute ayahuasca effects, and posttraumatic growth. Results show that individuals with histories of childhood trauma were not at higher risk of adverse experiences during ayahuasca use, nor did they exhibit different levels of posttraumatic growth compared to those without such histories. Additionally, experiencing more challenges during acute ayahuasca effects did not correlate with increased posttraumatic growth.

This survey (n=185) of an international Jewish sample with psychedelic experience explores the association between attachment-related variables and psychedelic experiences. Findings suggest that perceptions of an insecure attachment history are positively linked to various measures of psychedelic phenomenology, while adult attachment orientations show no significant relationship. Moreover, psychedelic experiences do not typically moderate the association between perceived insecure attachment history and present attachment insecurity.

This prospective survey (n=233, 64, 44) explores microdosing's (MD) impact on emotional regulation (ER) and empathy in adults with severe ADHD symptoms. Positive effects on ER and empathy were observed, specifically in cognitive reappraisal, expressive suppression, perspective-taking, and personal distress. However, a comparison with those using only conventional medications (n=180, 50, 38 MD; n=37, 27, 28 conventional) revealed that after four weeks, only expressive suppression improvement persisted, and cognitive reappraisal and empathy enhancements disappeared.

This analysis (n=240) of online trip reports examines the mechanisms behind the therapeutic potential of psychedelics, comparing metaphysical belief theory and predictive self-binding theory. Path analysis and structural equation modelling reveal that psychological insight, rather than metaphysical beliefs, uniquely predicts beneficial outcomes. Additionally, the positive effects of ego dissolution and therapeutic intent on beneficial outcomes are fully mediated by psychological insight, thereby supporting the predictive self-binding model over the metaphysical belief theory.

This survey study (n=766) explores the consumption habits and perceived long-term social-emotional effects of MDMA use among individuals aged 18–61, primarily from Western countries. Utilizing a K-medoids clustering algorithm, researchers identified three consumption setting types—party settings with friends (n=388), private home settings (n=132), and mixed settings (n=246)—and three intention types—euphoria and energy (n=302), self-insight (n=219), and mixed intentions (n=245). The study found that individuals in the self-insight and mixed intentions clusters reported more long-term socio-emotional benefits compared to those seeking solely euphoria and energy, with no significant differences observed between the setting clusters.

This mixed-methods study combines data from two studies, one large naturalistic study (n=261) and one smaller controlled clinical trial (n=59), to investigate the post-acute effects of psychedelics on self-reported sexual functioning. It finds that naturalistic use of psychedelics is associated with improvements in sexual pleasure, communication, satisfaction with one’s partner, and physical appearance. Similarly, a controlled trial comparing psilocybin therapy with the SSRI escitalopram for depression shows that patients treated with psilocybin report positive changes in sexual functioning, unlike those treated with escitalopram.

This prospective survey (n=161) examines the interactions between psychedelics and serotonergic antidepressants (SRIs), focusing on their effects on well-being and depressive symptoms. Utilizing multivariate analysis and linear mixed effect models, it compares subjective psychedelic experiences and post-use well-being between individuals on SRIs ('SRI +') and those not ('SRI −'). Findings indicate 'SRI −' participants experience more intense mystical, challenging, and emotional breakthroughs, while 'SRI +' participants have less intense experiences but similar improvements in well-being and depressive symptoms.

This qualitative study (n=608) investigated coping strategies employed by individuals experiencing difficulties persisting for at least one day after a psychedelic experience. Predominant individual coping strategies included meditation and prayer, along with self-educational activities like reading and journaling. Social coping methods were commonly seeking support from friends or family, and obtaining assistance from a therapist or coach, with reported benefits including feeling heard, accepted, and sharing similar experiences.

This cross-sectional research on ayahuasca-induced Personal Death (APD) experiences involves two studies. Study 1 (n=54) reveals that over half of participants in ayahuasca ceremonies report APDs, which are intense and transformative, leading to an increased sense of transcending death and certainty in consciousness continuation. Study 2 (n=306) supports these findings, showing no demographic or psychopathology associations with APDs but linking them to heightened environmental concern, improved coping abilities, and a greater sense of fulfilment in life. Overall, the studies suggest that APDs during ayahuasca ceremonies may contribute to long-term positive effects in non-clinical populations.

This cross-sectional study (n=400 psychedelic users, matched with non-users) explores the mental health and personality characteristics of Swedish individuals with psychedelic experiences. Results indicate that psychedelic users exhibit lower depression levels (PHQ-9) and higher drug use (DUDIT), with openness (Big Five) being notably different (d=1.72), contributing to the observed effects on depression. The findings suggest potential implications for understanding and approaching psychedelic users in the context of mental health and personality traits.

This survey (n=1022) investigated the correlation between set and setting variables in psychedelic therapy with psychopathology, well-being, and personality. Findings suggest that growth motivations, natural settings, and the presence of significant others predict positive outcomes. In contrast, problematic motivations are associated with greater psychopathology and lower well-being.

This survey (n=426) explores psychedelic-mediated personality changes, identifying 52 unique themes and 8 factors like Unitive Spiritual and Emotional Stability. It finds psychedelic users more open, extraverted, and less neurotic than non-users. The study suggests a model linking personality to psychedelic use and its impact on personality, emphasizing the need for holistic measures in psychedelic-assisted therapeutics.

This national survey (n=795) in the USA assesses public attitudes towards psilocybin use in licensed settings for psychiatric treatment and well-being enhancement. Participants from across the political spectrum overwhelmingly viewed the individual's decision as morally positive in both contexts, suggesting strong bipartisan support for supervised psilocybin use.

This retrospective online survey (n=160) investigates the impact of naturalistic psychedelic experiences on alcohol use (AUD) and related measures. The results indicate a significant reduction in the mean number of drinking days per week and AUDIT scores after the psychedelic experience. Subjects who quit or reduced drinking had a more severe AUD and lower psychological flexibility before the psychedelic session. The study suggests that positive health outcomes, including reduced alcohol use and dependency, may be associated with the intensity of the mystical experience and an increase in psychological flexibility.

This cross-sectional survey (n=517) assessed the psychometric properties of the Spiritual Well-Being Scale (SWBS) concerning existential well-being (EWB) and religious well-being (RWB). The study found that the RWB factor exhibited superior psychometric indices for validity, group discrimination, and reliability, showing a U-shaped pattern in the association between psychedelics and spiritual well-being, where non-users and frequent users had higher RWB and EWB indices than occasional users.

This cross-sectional survey (n=841) of Norwegian adults who had memorable experiences with classic psychedelic substances reveals that the primary intentions for use were recreational (46.1%) or therapeutic (42.3%). Most participants reported psilocybin as their most memorable experience, and despite the prevalence of self-perceived symptoms of mental and substance use disorders, the psychedelic experience generally led to improvements. Adverse reactions, mostly mild and short-lived, affected 4.2% for a year or more, and persisting flashbacks were reported by 2.9% of participants.

This prospective observational study (n=807) analysed negative psychological responses to psychedelics, defining it as a clinically meaningful decline in mental health four weeks post-use. They found that 16% of participants experienced negative responses, with a notably higher prevalence (31%) among those with a prior diagnosis of personality disorder. The study implies that individuals with a history of personality disorder might face elevated risks with psychedelic use, emphasizing the need for enhanced psychological support and therapeutic alliance in this population.

This epidemiological study (n=2822, n=613 with lifetime psychedelic use) explored associations between naturalistic psychedelic use and psychiatric risks in a US adult sample. Findings showed lifetime psychedelic use linked with more unusual visual experiences throughout life but no direct connection to recent psychotic symptoms. An interaction between lifetime psychedelic use and family history of psychotic or bipolar disorders revealed higher recent psychotic symptoms in individuals with both factors, and lower symptoms without such family history.

This mixed-method study (n=608) explored prolonged adverse effects following psychedelic use, revealing extended challenges persisting for weeks, months, or even years in some cases. One-third of participants experienced problems for over a year, with a sixth enduring these difficulties for over three years. Factors such as knowledge of dosage, drug type, and lower reported difficulty during the experience influenced the duration and range of these challenges. In contrast, guided settings during drug intake appeared to narrow the spectrum of problems.

This longitudinal observational study (n=9,732) aimed to investigate potential associations between self-reported psychedelic use and meditation practice in the US and UK adult populations. The study found that psychedelic use during a 2-month period was associated with increased engagement in mindfulness meditation practice, and the subjective experience of insight during psychedelic use was linked to greater involvement in mindfulness and loving-kindness or compassion meditation. Additionally, the research indicated that baseline engagement in loving-kindness or compassion meditation was associated with reduced severity of challenging experiences during psychedelic use.

This survey (n=1,249) assessed interest in and acceptability of psilocybin use among individuals who have experienced adverse childhood experiences. The study found high interest in psilocybin, and its use was associated with reduced psychological distress among those with more severe childhood adversity, indicating its potential therapeutic benefits for this group.

This prospective, longitudinal study (n=679) examined the effects of psilocybin use on emotional experiences, particularly feelings of shame and guilt. The study found that while most participants had positive experiences with psilocybin, acute feelings of shame or guilt were common (68%), and the ability to work through these feelings positively correlated with well-being in the weeks following use. On average, psilocybin resulted in a small but significant decrease in trait shame, which was maintained for 2-3 months after use, though in a minority of participants (30%), trait shame increased.

This cross-sectional study (n=392) examined the relationship between psychedelic use and beliefs in alternative facts in a sample that included 233 individuals with a history of psychedelic use. The study found a moderate positive association between psychedelic use and beliefs in alternative facts, particularly the belief that facts are politically influenced. However, there were no significant associations between psychedelic use and favoring intuition over evidence when confirming facts. Additionally, alcohol was negatively associated with beliefs in alternative facts. Overall, the study suggests that psychedelic use is linked to non-conformist thinking styles, possibly due to the psychological effects of the drugs or shared traits related to unconventional beliefs and substance use.

In a cross-sectional study of 13,837 university students, researchers explored the association between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms and lifetime psychoactive substance use (LPSU) across various illicit substances. The study found a significant link between ADHD symptoms and the lifetime use of ketamine, magic mushrooms, poppers, and several other psychoactive substances. Additionally, the presence of high levels of ADHD symptoms was associated with the use of a wide range of psychoactive substances and a greater overall frequency of lifetime substance use.

This survey (n=131) conducted among American psychiatrists, aimed to assess their opinions about psychedelics & PAT in 2023, comparing the results with a similar study conducted in 2016. The findings revealed a significant positive shift in attitudes among American psychiatrists since 2016, with a majority expressing moderate to strong belief in the therapeutic potential of psychedelics for treating psychiatric conditions (81%) and substance use disorders (61%).

This prospective longitudinal study (n=2,833) examined naturalistic psilocybin use among adults outside of clinical research settings. Participants were primarily college-educated White men in the United States who used dried psilocybin mushrooms for self-exploration. The study found that after psilocybin use, there were persisting reductions in anxiety, depression, and alcohol misuse, increased cognitive flexibility, emotion regulation, spiritual well-being, and extraversion, as well as reduced neuroticism and burnout. However, a minority of participants (11% at 2-4 weeks and 7% at 2-3 months) reported persisting negative effects. Overall, this is the largest prospective survey of naturalistic psilocybin use to date and supports the potential for psilocybin to produce lasting improvements in mental health symptoms and general well-being.

This longitudinal transcultural study (n=2971) conducted during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic in April 2020 collected data through an online survey from English-, Spanish-, and Portuguese-speaking participants. The study found that users of hallucinogenic drugs, particularly regular users, had higher psychological well-being and lower psychopathology scores both at baseline and during follow-ups. Regular hallucinogen users also showed higher scores for post-traumatic growth, especially among subjects with more psychological distress. The study noted variations between cultural contexts, with more English-speaking participants reporting regular use of hallucinogenic drugs.

This prospective study (n=86) examined the effects of ibogaine and 5-MeO-DMT treatment on U.S. Special Operations Forces Veterans with trauma exposure. Younger age and higher baseline levels of depression and anxiety were correlated with significant improvements in mental and psychosocial outcomes from baseline to 1-month follow-up. Greater intensity of changes in consciousness was linked to improved long-term mental health and psychosocial outcomes up to 6 months post-treatment.

This survey study (n=170) aimed to understand the effectiveness of classical psychedelics in treating chronic pain conditions compared to conventional treatments. The analysis focused on five specific conditions: fibromyalgia, arthritis, migraine, tension-type headache, and sciatica. Results showed that, except for sciatica, participants reported better pain relief using psychedelics than with conventional medication. Specifically, full psychedelic doses outperformed conventional treatments, while microdoses provided significantly better relief for migraines and comparable relief for the other three conditions.