This online, retrospective survey (n=100) of individuals with a history of psychotic experiences and/or diagnoses explores the impact of memorable psychedelic experiences on their well-being and mental health. Most respondents (n=88) reported personal growth, mystical experiences, increased contemplation, improved insight, symptomatic improvements, and positive feelings, while 11% (n=11) described negative experiences such as symptom exacerbation, dysphoria, and terror.
Abstract of Experiences of psychedelic drug use among people with psychotic symptoms and disorders
“Individuals with a history of psychotic experiences and disorders such as schizophrenia, and mood disorders with psychotic features tend to be excluded from psychedelic-assisted therapy research and treatment programs, despite minimal research demonstrating heightened risk of adverse effects for this group. Participants (n = 100) were asked to complete an online, retrospective survey that asked about psychotic experiences and/or diagnoses and one memorable psychedelic experience, along with mental health histories, dose used, set and setting, and other relevant variables including whether they mixed their psychedelic with other substances. Respondents also completed pertinent psychometric questionnaires and answered questions regarding the impact of their psychedelic experience on their well-being, mental health, relationships, spiritual beliefs, and aspects of their life. Thematic inductive analysis was used to identify recurring themes. Most respondents (n = 88) stated that their psychedelic experience resulted in some degree of personal growth. Many also described mystical-type experiences, increased levels of contemplation and spirituality, improved insight, symptomatic improvements, and feelings of love and appreciation following the experience. Most described overall positive experiences, however, 11% (n = 11) described overall negative experiences, which included symptom exacerbation, dysphoria, and terror, and a slightly larger portion described mixed-type experiences.”
Authors: Joseph T. La Torre, Jade Gallo, Mehdi Mahammadli, Daniel Zalewa & Monnica T. Williams
Summary of Experiences of psychedelic drug use among people with psychotic symptoms and disorders
Excluding those with psychosis from psychedelic research
In the early to mid-twentieth century, a great deal of research was conducted on psychedelic compounds, including trials examining LSD and mescaline therapy for individuals with schizophrenia. However, findings were highly varied, possibly due to insufficient scientific rigour.
Scholars agree that research carried out during the first wave of psychedelic research often lacked standard methodological elements and was unethical, leaving out key information such as dose used and descriptions of protocols.
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https://doi.org/10.1556/2054.2024.00348
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Cite this paper (APA)
La Torre, J. T., Gallo, J., Mahammadli, M., Zalewa, D., & Williams, M. T. (2024). Experiences of psychedelic drug use among people with psychotic symptoms and disorders: Personal growth and mystical experiences. Journal of Psychedelic Studies.
Study details
Topics studied
Schizophrenia
Relationships
Safety
Study characteristics
Survey
Qualitative