This survey study (n=2822) finds a correlation between lifetime classical psychedelic use (n=613) and a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation (but not compassion meditation) practice. When analysing psychological insight (an aspect of the acute psychedelic experience), a correlation with both types of meditation was found.

Abstract

“Objectives Previous research has investigated potential synergies between classic psychedelics and meditation practice, but relatively little remains known about the relationship between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with meditation practice. The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with two popular types of meditation: mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation.

Method This retrospective, population-based observational study included 2822 respondents aged 18 years or older in the United States. Using covariate-adjusted regression models, this study examined associations of classic psychedelic experiences with current practice of mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation.

Results In covariate-adjusted regression models, lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice but not current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Both psychological insight and “ego dissolution” were associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Notably, when psychological insight and “ego dissolution” were entered into the regression model simultaneously, only greater psychological insight was associated with having a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice.

Conclusions Although the findings in this study cannot demonstrate causality, they suggest that classic psychedelic experiences may exert a positive effect on the cultivation and maintenance of health-related behaviors such as regular meditation practice, with psychological insight appearing to be a stronger predictor than “ego dissolution.””

Authors: Charlotta Simonsson, Richard Chambers, Peter S. Hendricks, Simon B. Goldberg, Walter Osika, Marco Schlosser, Adam Ryde, Emma Christersson & Otto Simonsson

Summary of Classic Psychedelic Use and Current Meditation Practice

This study examined associations between classic psychedelic experiences and engagement with two popular types of meditation: mindfulness meditation and loving-kindness or compassion meditation.

Lifetime classic psychedelic use was associated with a higher frequency of current mindfulness meditation practice, but not current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice. Psychological insight was the strongest predictor of current mindfulness meditation practice and current loving-kindness or compassion meditation practice.

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Find this paper

Classic Psychedelic Use and Current Meditation Practice

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12671-023-02103-w

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Cite this paper (APA)

Simonsson, C., Chambers, R., Hendricks, P. S., Geneva, G., & Simonsson, C. (2023). Classic psychedelic use and current meditation practice. Mindfulness.

Study details

Participants
2822 Humans

Authors

Authors associated with this publication with profiles on Blossom

Otto Simonsson
Otto Simonsson is a Postdoctoral Research Fellow at the Karolinska Institute where he conducts research on meditation and psychedelics. Otto held a similar position at The Centre for Healthy Minds at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

Peter Hendricks
Peter Hendricks is a Professor in the Department of Health Behaviour at the University of Alabama. Hendricks's area of expertise lies in substance abuse treatment and prevention.

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Longitudinal associations between psychedelic use and meditation practices in the United States and the United Kingdom
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.