This pre-print prospective longitudinal survey (n=657) finds that people who use psychedelics recreationally increase in prescribing ‘mind perception’ to living and non-living targets (e.g. plants, animals). But unlike previous studies, they didn’t find changes in metaphysical beliefs along the Atheist-Believer scale.
Abstract of Naturalistic Psilocybin Use Increases Mind Perception but not Atheist-Believer status
“Recent studies suggest psychedelic use may be associated with changes in a variety of beliefs or belief-like states, including increased 1) mind perception, 2) non-naturalistic beliefs, and 3) Atheist-Believer status (e.g., believer, agnostic, or non-believer). We conducted a prospective longitudinal study among participants (N = 657) who planned to have a psychedelic experience. We asked participants about their beliefs concerning mind perception of various entities, specific metaphysical positions, and Atheist-Believer status both before and after their experience. Replicating previous findings, 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.”
Authors: Sandeep M. Nayak, Sydney H. White, Samantha N. Hilbert, Matthew X. Lowe, Heather Jackson, Roland R. Griffiths, Albert Garcia-Romeu & David B. Yaden
Summary of Naturalistic Psilocybin Use Increases Mind Perception but not Atheist-Believer status
Psilocybin is a psychedelic substance used in ritual settings for at least centuries. Some have discussed whether or not religious/spiritual/non-naturalist belief changes reliably occur after psychedelic experiences, but the magnitude and specifics of such purported belief changes are unknown.
Several studies have found preliminary evidence for metaphysical belief changes in the context of psychedelic research. However, these studies suffer from selection bias and lack a direct assessment of belief changes.
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https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/auycp
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Cite this paper (APA)
Nayak, S. M., White, S., Hilbert, S., Lowe, M. X., Jackson, H., Griffiths, R., … Yaden, D. B. (2023, June 9). Naturalistic Psilocybin Use Increases Mind Perception but not Atheist-Believer status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study. https://doi.org/10.31234/osf.io/auycp
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Roland GriffithsRoland R. Griffiths is one of the strongest voices in psychedelics research. With over 400 journal articles under his belt and as one of the first researchers in the psychedelics renaissance, he has been a vital part of the research community.
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