This survey study (n=119) examined the relationship between psychedelic-induced mystical experiences and religious identity and found that being religious and taking psychedelic drugs with religious intent were significantly related to having stronger mystical experiences when using psychedelics.
Abstract
“Introduction: Psychedelic drugs, or entheogens, have been used for religious purposes among various cultures for thousands of years. Recently, these substances have caught the attention of Westerners for many reasons, including their propensity to induce mystical experiences. This study examined the relationship between religion and having mystical experiences.
Methods: A total of 119 participants were drawn from psychedelic-related websites and asked to complete an anonymous online questionnaire containing items regarding history of psychedelic use, set and setting for psychedelic use, and a measure for mystical experiences.
Results/Discussion: A majority of respondents were White males who displayed at least some level of post-secondary education. The findings indicated that respondents who used psychedelics for specifically religious purposes, as well as those who identified with a religion, were more likely to score higher on the Mysticism Scale than those who did not.“
Authors: Logan Neitzke-Spruill & Carol Glasser
Summary
Psychedelic drugs have been used for religious purposes for thousands of years, and recently have caught the attention of Westerners for their propensity to induce mystical experiences. This study examined the relationship between religion and having mystical experiences.
Introduction
Psychedelic drugs have been the focus of a growing number of psychological studies for their effectiveness in treating a range of mental health issues. Little sociological research has been conducted on the subject, however, so this study examined the relationship between religion and having mystical experiences when using psychedelic drugs.
Recent academic and scientific research has focused mainly on the potential medicinal benefits of psychedelic drugs, but studies of users suggest that many use psychedelics for other reasons, such as curiosity, self-growth, and spirituality.
Psychedelic drug users score higher on measures of mystical beliefs and life values of spirituality, and some studies indicate that medicinal benefits are derived from the mystical experiences that can result from their use.
Psychedelics and religion
Some of the earliest evidence for the use of psychedelic drugs in ancient religions stems from the ancient Hindu texts known as Vedas, and the ancient Sumerian texts of John Marco Allegro.
Many modern examples of psychedelics being utilized for religious purposes around the world provide evidence that various enduring societies have incorporated psychedelics into their cultural framework.
During the 1960s, psychedelics began to be used more in the United States, but the Controlled Substances Act of 1970 halted legal psychedelic use and slowed research on psychedelics. However, a number of compelling studies were conducted that explored the relationship between religion and psychedelic drug use.
Researchers conducted a double-blind study at Johns Hopkins University that found that 67% of participants said that their experience with psilocybin was the most or in the top five most meaningful experiences of their lives.
Studies are being conducted to determine the safety and efficacy of psychedelics in the treatment of mental disorders, and for religious purposes.
Religious set and setting
Set and setting are concepts that relate to psychedelic use. They are broken up into two categories: long-range and immediate, and are heavily influenced by the motivation for using the drug.
The use of psychedelics in the U.S. is largely shaped by individual values and beliefs, whereas in a traditional shamanic setting the use of such drugs will reinforce community values and beliefs.
The lack of a generally accepted setting to use psychedelic substances in the West may contribute to instances of “bad trips”. Researchers have taken this advice into consideration when studying the potential benefits of psychedelic use.
Huston Smith (1964) cites evidence that people with stronger religious ties are more likely to have a mystical experience, and nine-tenths of people will undergo a religious experience when psychedelics are consumed in a religious setting.
Identifying with a religion and using psychedelics for spiritual or religious purposes will increase the likelihood of having a mystical experience.
Methods
The present study used an anonymous, self-administered online survey to examine factors associated with psychedelic use.
Participants were self-reported psychedelic drugs users recruited using the websites shroomery.org and bluelight.org. The survey was distributed from November 2016 to December 2016 and was based on responses from these participants.
There were 119 respondents, 90.7% of whom were male, 82.3% were White, and over 60% had some college education. The sample was on par with previous samples of psychedelic drug users.
Mystical experiences
The key dependent variable for this study was measured using Ralph Hood’s(1975) 32-item Mysticism Scale. Higher scores indicate stronger mystical experiences.
The Griffiths Mystical Experience Scale was developed using conceptual categories from the philosophy of religion. It has been shown to accurately measure mystical experiences across cultures.
Long-range set and intent
Respondents were asked if they identified with any religion or faith. Those who selected “other” could write in their religion, and those who did not were coded as not having a religious set.
While long-term set indicates being religious, short-term set includes a person’s reason for using psychedelics. Religious intent was measured using one of the 11 variables.
Control variables
Respondents were asked how often they tended to use drugs, and if they had used any of the following drugs: LSD, Psilocybin “magic” mushrooms, MDMA, ecstasy, or molly, Ayahausca, Iboga or Ibogaine, Peyote, San Pedro, or any other mescaline-containing substance.
Additional considerations
We asked participants open-ended questions to better understand the setting for psychedelic use, including ritual preparations, and the typical setting in which they use psychedelics.
Psychedelic drug use
All respondents indicated having used classic hallucinogens, while just over half had also used entactogens like MDMA. Over half were regular users of psychedelics, with 12.9% reporting weekly use.
Most respondents said that they use psychedelic drugs alone or with one to two others, though a minority reported using psychedelics in a group setting of three to five people or more. Some respondents did not provide adequate information to determine the physical setting in which their psychedelic use took place.
A ritual prior to psychedelic use can contribute to a person’s set by altering their mood or physical environment. Some rituals included cleaning, meditating, listening to music, fasting, burning incense, or using marijuana.
Religious set and intent
The survey included 11 variables indicating reasons for using psychedelic drugs. Those who indicated affiliation with a religion were more likely to use psychedelics for spiritual or religious purposes.
Mystical experiences
We ran linear regressions to understand how being religious and taking psychedelics with religious intent impact scores on the mysticism scale. The results indicate that being religious and taking psychedelics with religious intent increase the intensity and/or likelihood of having mystical experiences.
Those who used psychedelics with a religious intent scored 16.4 points higher on the Mysticism Scale than those who did not, when controlling for other factors.
Respondents who used psychedelics less than monthly scored lower on the Mysticism Scale compared to those who used them weekly. There was no significant relationship between scores on the Mysticism Scale and the number of people present or the type of psychedelic drug used.
Discussion
A study examined whether there was a relationship between having a religious set and having mystical experiences when using psychedelic drugs. The study found that there was a positive and significant relationship between having a religious set and having mystical experiences. The findings of this study highlight the importance of the intent of psychedelic drug use and the relationship between religion and psychedelic drug use.
The relationship between religion and psychedelic drugs is important to understand, as these drugs are currently controlled and banned in most cases for use in the U.S.
This study highlighted that the intent of psychedelic drug use matters, and that education about safe practices should be provided to marginal users who may not be engaged in the psychedelic or harm reduction communities.