This paper (n=3) presents case studies of experiences with the divine in an ongoing clinical trial at NYU exploring the effects of psilocybin on alcohol dependence.
Abstract
“Psychedelic substances have been central to religious and shamanic healing practices of various cultures for generations. More recently, in western medicine, psychedelic substances have demonstrated promise in the treatment of various mental health indications. A growing evidence base supports not only the therapeutic potential of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, but also the importance of integrating spiritual aspects of psychedelic experiences into the traditional therapeutic process. Psilocybin, a classic psychedelic, is a serotonergic hallucinogen that can elicit profound spiritual experiences even in the research setting. Our group is currently conducting a randomized controlled trial exploring the therapeutic potential of psilocybin-assisted psychotherapy for alcohol dependence. Over the course of the trial, many individuals have reported experiences that take a variety of forms, including spiritual insights, beatific visions, and communion with the Divine. Here we present three case studies of experiences involving communion with a deceased loved one, with a holy figure, and with the Divine from our clinical trial. These cases have been selected to illustrate the diverse nature of the spiritual experiences observed in this clinical trial, and to also explore elements of spiritual care that may be supportive in the psychotherapeutic process during and after the medication experiences. Should psychedelic medicine continue to show treatment promise in clinical trial stages, there is a strong possibility that these medicines will become an integral part of psychotherapy, which will require integration of direct spiritual experiences and spiritual care into the healing process.”
Authors: Samantha K. Podrebarac, Kelley C. O’Donnell, Sarah E. Mennenga, Lindsey T. Owens, Tara C. Malone, Jessie H. Duane & Michael P. Bogenschutz
Find this paper
https://doi.org/10.1037/scp0000242
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Cite this paper (APA)
Podrebarac, S. K., O'Donnell, K. C., Mennenga, S. E., Owens, L. T., Malone, T. C., Duane, J. H., & Bogenschutz, M. P. (2021). Spiritual experiences in psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: Case reports of communion with the divine, the departed, and saints in research using psilocybin for the treatment of alcohol dependence. Spirituality in Clinical Practice, 8(3), 177.
Study details
Compounds studied
Psilocybin
Topics studied
Addiction
Alcohol Use Disorder
Study characteristics
Case Study
Participants
3
Humans
Authors
Authors associated with this publication with profiles on Blossom
Michael BogenschutzDr. Michael P. Bogenschutz is a Professor in the Department of Psychiatry at NYU Grossman School of Medicine who specializes in treating addiction and anxiety disorders.
Institutes
Institutes associated with this publication
NYU Langone HealthThis company doesn't have a full profile yet, it is linked to a clinical trial.