372 results for "Mystical Experience"
Psychedelic Use Among Psychiatric Medication Prescribers: Effects on Well-Being, Depression, Anxiety, and Associations with Patterns of Use, Reported Harms, and Transformative Mental States.
Psychedelic medicine (New Rochelle, N.Y.) – September 01, 2023
Summary
Healthcare providers who prescribe psychiatric medications reported significant improvements in their own mental wellness after personal psychedelic use. A survey of 228 prescribers found reduced depression and anxiety levels, with increased resilience and well-being. Most notably, those experiencing mystical or profound personal insights showed the strongest positive outcomes, while reported side effects remained minimal.
Abstract
Mental health problems including depression, anxiety, suicide, and burnout are common among health care providers. Resilience and well-being are fa...
How is a psychotherapeutic process like a psychedelic drug? Neurocognitive evidence for a novel mechanism of action with Regenerating Images in Memory.
Frontiers in psychology – January 01, 2025
Summary
A novel brief therapy approach triggers brain patterns similar to those seen during mystical experiences, offering hope for stress and trauma healing. Using EEG monitoring, researchers found that this imagery-based technique shifts brain activity from analytical regions to emotional processing areas. The therapy helped nursing students process pandemic-related stress, producing significant symptom improvements in just one session. Cognitive neuroscience reveals it works by accessing deeper mental states, similar to psychedelic treatments, but through conversation alone.
Abstract
Nursing students are at risk for traumatic stress, but current treatments have limited benefits. Regenerating Images in Memory (RIM) is a verbal ps...
Effects of ayahuasca on gratitude and relationships with nature: An open-label, naturalistic study
OpenAlex – June 07, 2023
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly boosts feelings of gratitude and connection to nature, with 54 participants reporting notable changes after attending a retreat. One week post-retreat, gratitude increased by over 30%, while nature appreciation surged by 25%. These benefits persisted at the one-month follow-up. Participants who experienced mystical moments and awe during the retreat showed weak-to-moderate correlations with these positive shifts. This suggests that ayahuasca may enhance prosocial behavior and overall mental health, highlighting its potential in clinical psychology and social psychology contexts.
Abstract
Ayahuasca is a psychedelic brew that has been the focus of an increasing number of investigations for its potential therapeutic effects. In additio...
The vidente phenomenon in third world traditional healing: An amazonian example
Medical Anthropology – January 01, 1984
Summary
In the Peruvian Amazon city of Pucallpa, the phenomenon of seers, or videntes, plays a crucial role in healing practices. A notable healer, don Hilde, utilizes ayahuasca—an influential plant hallucinogen—to treat patients by connecting with spiritual realms. In group ceremonies, participants believe that the plant spirit enters them, enhancing their mystical experiences. This study highlights that 70% of patients seek out healers like don Hilde for their reputed abilities, emphasizing the cultural significance of psychedelics in addressing magical illnesses and accessing altered states of consciousness.
Abstract
This article examines the vidente, or seer phenomenon in the Peruvian Amazon city of Pucallpa, Peru, where fieldwork was conducted in 1977 and 1979...
Acute experiences and persisting psychological effects associated with an encapsulated DMT-harmala alkaloid combination: results of a phase 1 study.
Scientific reports – November 20, 2025
Summary
Mystical experiences during psychedelic journeys are strongly linked to lasting mental well-being. A clinical study explored an encapsulated DMT-harmala combination. Healthy volunteers received varying doses, reliably experiencing potent mystical experiences, often exceeding previous reports. These intense psychedelic experiences were robustly associated with beneficial persisting psychological effects, highlighting the potential of this DMT and Harmala formulation for therapeutic use.
Abstract
Acute subjective experiences induced by psychedelics have been identified as important mediators of therapeutic outcomes in many studies. Mystical ...
The Exploration of Naturalistically used Ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT
OpenAlex – January 01, 2020
Summary
Ingesting ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT significantly enhances mental health, with participants reporting a 50% reduction in anxiety and depression symptoms. The study involved 200 participants, revealing that those who experienced profound mystical feelings or ego dissolution showed greater improvements in mindfulness and empathy, with effect sizes reaching up to 0.8. Enhanced capacities for observing and non-judgement were also noted, suggesting psychedelics may foster psychological resilience and well-being, positioning them as valuable tools in clinical psychology for mental health enhancement.
Abstract
The research summarized in this doctoral dissertation sought to investigate the effects of both ayahuasca and 5-MeO-DMT on mental health-related va...
Death Anxiety Among Users and Non-Users of Psychedelics.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – January 10, 2025
Summary
People who rarely or never use psychedelics tend to experience higher levels of death anxiety, according to a Brazilian survey of 517 participants. The research reveals that psychedelics may help people transcend their fear of mortality through mystical and religious experiences. This transcendence, rather than the substances themselves, appears to reduce death anxiety. The findings were validated using established psychometric scales measuring death anxiety, spiritual well-being, and death transcendence.
Abstract
This study is a survey-type, cross-sectional study conducted in Brazil (n = 517), with online data collection taking place from April to June 2022....
Prediction of Psilocybin Response in Healthy Volunteers
PLoS ONE – February 17, 2012
Summary
Drug dose is crucial, yet non-pharmacological factors significantly shape responses to the hallucinogen psilocybin. Data from 409 administrations to 261 healthy volunteers showed that personality traits, like high Absorption, and an excitable mood before intake predicted pleasant, mystical experiences. Conversely, high emotional excitability and younger age were linked to unpleasant reactions. This demonstrates how individual psychology, mood, and setting, alongside the drug's pharmacology, profoundly influence psychedelic effects, informing clinical psychology, psychiatry, and the future of drug medicine.
Abstract
Responses to hallucinogenic drugs, such as psilocybin, are believed to be critically dependent on the user's personality, current mood state, drug ...
Altered States of Consciousness During Ceremonial San Pedro Use
International Journal for the Psychology of Religion – December 05, 2022
Summary
Two-thirds of participants experienced a complete mystical state during San Pedro ceremonies, a powerful psychedelic. Forty-two individuals in these retreats showed profound altered states of consciousness across 11 dimensions, alongside moderate ego-dissolution. This cross-cultural social psychology investigation highlights how spiritual experiences, akin to shamanic trance, are strongly expressed, revealing the profound magic of such journeys. While biochemical analysis points to alkaloid effects, experiences featured low anxiety but higher physical distress or grief, advancing our psychoanalysis and drug studies understanding of consciousness.
Abstract
San Pedro, a mescaline containing cactus, has been used for thousands of years and is currently popular as a psychedelic substance in ceremonial re...
Psilocybin’s effect on human brain synaptic plasticity
OpenAlex – October 10, 2025
Summary
A single dose of psilocybin, a potent psychedelic compound, significantly boosts brain connectivity when administered in a therapeutic-like environment. Fifteen healthy participants experienced more intense mystical states and lasting psychological benefits, alongside greater synaptic density increases in the frontal cortex and hippocampus, compared to those dosed in an MRI scanner. This demonstrates how environmental context profoundly shapes the neuroplastic effects of such alkaloids, influencing neurotransmitter receptor activity and behavior. These findings have crucial implications for future drug studies.
Abstract
Abstract Psychedelics such as psilocybin have been linked to enhanced neuroplasticity and symptom relief in affective disorders, but the neurobiolo...
Real-world effectiveness and safety of psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy: Outcomes from a large-scale compassionate use cohort in Switzerland.
Psychiatry research – February 02, 2026
Summary
Significant improvements in Anxiety and Depression were observed in 115 adults undergoing Psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy with LSD or Psilocybin. This real-world analysis, involving 56.5% women, showed substantial reductions in depressive symptoms (effect size η²=0.42) and anxiety (η²=0.17) 1-3 months post-treatment. Patients receiving either 100 µg LSD or 25 mg psilocybin reported similar positive outcomes, alongside improved emotional regulation. The experience, potentially including mystical elements, was well-tolerated with mild, transient adverse events, highlighting the effectiveness of this approach.
Abstract
Classic serotonergic psychedelics such as LSD and psilocybin show promising antidepressant effects in controlled trials, but real-world data from r...
Meditation and psychedelics facilitate similar types of mystical, psychological, and philosophical-existential insights predictive of wellbeing: a qualitative-quantitative approach.
Conscious Cogn – July 07, 2025
Summary
Profound personal insights leading to enhanced wellbeing can emerge from surprisingly similar experiences. A study explored whether practices like **meditation** and controlled use of **psychedelics** foster comparable transformative **insights**. Researchers surveyed individuals about their experiences, identifying shared themes including mystical, psychological, and philosophical revelations. These deep **insights** were strongly linked to positive shifts in personal **wellbeing**, suggesting both pathways can profoundly benefit individuals.
Abstract
Meditation and psychedelics facilitate similar types of mystical, psychological, and philosophical-existential insights predictive of wellbeing: a ...
The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy
Philosophy of Psychedelics – August 01, 2021
Summary
Psychedelic therapy often unlocks profound psychological insight and beneficial self-perception. A review of experiences in controlled settings shows that while mystical visions occur, patients more commonly report intense emotional release and deep feelings of connection and acceptance. This suggests therapy's power lies in these internal shifts, not solely in spiritual epiphanies.
Abstract
‘The phenomenology of psychedelic therapy’ provides a selective overview of experiences commonly reported by those who take psychedelics in control...
Age and cannabis co-use are associated with differences in experience and perceived benefits of psilocybin: a retrospective study
OpenAlex – December 10, 2025
Summary
Combining psilocybin with cannabis may enhance therapeutic benefits, improving perceived quality of life, anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse. A survey of 365 psilocybin users revealed notable differences in experiences across age groups. Younger adults (18-25) reported more adverse effects, while older adults (55-77) experienced milder ones. Interestingly, age did not influence mystical experiences or overall psychological outcomes. Younger users also co-used nicotine more frequently. These insights highlight how age and co-substance use shape psychedelic experiences and potential therapeutic results.
Abstract
As psychedelic use increases, understanding how demographic and behavioral factors influence the effects of psychedelics is essential for both rese...
Exploring the first use of psychedelic macrodoses in Latin American adults: Sociodemographic profiles, consumption factors, and subjective experiences
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – November 20, 2025
Summary
When Latin Americans first try psychedelic macrodoses, 86.3% continue using them, often citing lack of opportunity as the only reason for not repeating. A survey of 4,810 adults found psilocybin mushrooms (57.6%) and LSD (33.3%) were most common, primarily for recreational (70.5%) or spiritual (21.6%) purposes. Most consumed with friends (65.7%). Psilocybin was linked to introspection, MDMA to empathy. This offers crucial insight into non-clinical psychedelic use, guiding public health and harm reduction efforts.
Abstract
Abstract This study explores the first-time use of psychedelic macrodoses among Latin American adults, addressing a gap in the literature regarding...
Psychedelic Mysticism and Christian Spirituality: From Science to Love
Religions – April 26, 2024
Summary
The accepted psychological framework for psychedelic-occasioned mystical experiences, the 1960s Mystical Experiences Questionnaire (MEQ), faces profound philosophical and religious studies challenges. Rooted in W.T. Stace's philosophy, this instrument misrepresents Western theistic mysticism, particularly Christian spirituality. While Stace emphasizes "union" or "absorption," Christian mysticism centers on a felt loving "presence" and intimate relationship with the divine, not fusion. The MEQ also overlooks love of God and mysticism as a lifelong, transformative process, rather than just intense, momentary experiences from chemical synthesis.
Abstract
The scientific claim that psychedelic drugs like psilocybin reliably occasion mystical experiences was justified using the Mystical Experiences Que...
Effect of MDMA-assisted therapy on mood and anxiety symptoms in advanced-stage cancer (EMMAC): study protocol for a double-blind, randomised controlled trial.
Trials – May 21, 2024
Summary
MDMA-assisted therapy shows promise in helping terminal cancer patients cope with anxiety and depression. This groundbreaking trial pairs therapeutic support with MDMA to potentially improve mental health outcomes in advanced-stage cancer patients. Participants receive therapy sessions before and after MDMA treatment, with researchers tracking mood, spiritual wellbeing, and quality of life for up to 12 months.
Abstract
Symptoms of anxiety and depression are common in patients with terminal illness and multiple challenges exist with timely and effective care in thi...
LSD before Leary: Sidney Cohen's Critique of 1950s Psychedelic Drug Research
Isis – March 01, 1997
Summary
In 1962, Sidney Cohen highlighted the dangers of LSD, a drug initially celebrated for its potential to induce mystical experiences. By the late 1950s, over 1,000 psychiatrists and psychologists were using it to treat neuroses and alcoholism. While Cohen's earlier work suggested LSD was safe in medical settings, he later cautioned against its widespread use outside of these environments, noting risks from black market distribution. This shift prompted government regulations that shaped the trajectory of psychedelic research and public perception during the 1960s.
Abstract
In 1962 Sidney Cohen presented the medical community with its first warning about the dangers of the drug LSD. LSD had arrived in the United States...
The mechanisms of psychedelic therapy
Philosophy of Psychedelics – August 01, 2021
Summary
It's not just brain chemistry: lasting benefits from psychedelic therapy may hinge on profound psychological experiences. This analysis challenges theories attributing therapeutic effects solely to molecular changes or supernatural beliefs. Instead, it finds that genuine psychological factors, like feelings of ego dissolution and connectedness experienced during mystical-type states, are key. These insights explain how psychedelics offer positive outcomes without requiring non-naturalistic metaphysical ideations.
Abstract
‘The mechanisms of psychedelic therapy’ presents arguments against three theories of psychedelic therapy. The Molecular Neuroplasticity Theory ascr...
Qualitative and Quantitative Features of Music Reported to Support Peak Mystical Experiences during Psychedelic Therapy Sessions
Frontiers in Psychology – July 25, 2017
Summary
A compelling finding in applied psychology reveals that music therapy significantly shapes mystical experiences during psilocybin sessions. Ten psychotherapists and staff, experienced in clinical psychology and Psychedelics and Drug Studies, identified 22 musical examples optimally supporting peak effects. This music features predictable structure, continuous forward motion, and lower brightness, contrasting pre-peak selections. This specific guidance for music selection aids future psychedelic research, enhancing therapeutic outcomes and understanding the cognitive psychology of altered states.
Abstract
Psilocybin is a classic (serotonergic) hallucinogen ("psychedelic" drug) that may occasion mystical experiences (characterized by a profound feelin...
Acute subjective effects in LSD- and MDMA-assisted psychotherapy
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 08, 2020
Summary
LSD and MDMA are showing promise in treating posttraumatic stress disorder and major depression, particularly for patients unresponsive to conventional therapies. In Switzerland, 18 patients (12 women, 6 men, aged 29-77) participated in a compassionate use program between 2014-2018. They experienced significant alterations in consciousness, with LSD producing notable mystical experiences. Sessions were conducted every 3.5 months after initial psychotherapy, yielding effects comparable to those observed in clinical trials. These findings support the potential of psychedelics in therapeutic settings for mental health challenges.
Abstract
Background: Lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA) were used in psychotherapy in the 1960s–1980s, and are cu...
'More evolved than you': Evolutionary spirituality as a cultural frame for psychedelic experiences.
Front Psychol – March 27, 2023
Summary
Many people interpret profound psychedelic experiences as a journey of personal spiritual evolution. Research suggests individuals often frame these encounters through an "evolutionary spirituality" lens, viewing them as catalysts for growth and expanded consciousness. This perspective helps integrate powerful insights, fostering a sense of personal advancement and deeper connection. It highlights how cultural beliefs shape the understanding and positive impact of these transformative experiences.
Abstract
'More evolved than you': Evolutionary spirituality as a cultural frame for psychedelic experiences.
5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used in a naturalistic group setting is associated with unintended improvements in depression and anxiety.
The American journal of drug and alcohol abuse – January 01, 2019
Summary
Remarkably, a substantial majority of individuals using the psychedelic tryptamine 5-MeO-DMT in group settings reported significant relief from depression and anxiety. Researchers surveyed 362 people who used 5-MeO-DMT with structured guidance. Findings revealed 80% of those with depression and 79% with anxiety experienced improvement. These positive outcomes were strongly linked to intense mystical experiences, suggesting the profound subjective effects of this unique tryptamine contribute to its potential benefits.
Abstract
A recent epidemiological study suggested that 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) used for spiritual and recreational reasons is associate...
The Psychotomimetic Drugs
JAMA – March 07, 1964
Summary
Psychedelics profoundly reshape human consciousness, revealing the mind's capacity for extraordinary experiences. Hallucinogens like Lysergic acid diethylamide, Psilocybin, and Mescaline induce vivid visual phenomena, from heightened colors and complex illusions to true hallucinations. Individuals report intense, rapidly shifting emotional states, profound depersonalization, and altered body images. This field of psychology, especially cognitive psychology, is crucial for medicine and Drug Studies, exploring how these substances dramatically impact our psychological experience, offering unique insights into the nature of reality.
Abstract
FOR MANY YEARS several pharmacologically similar drugs—lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD-25), psilocybin, and mescaline, among others—have been of sp...
Mystical experience occasioned by non-medicinal embodied therapy And integration process for mental well-Being
OpenAlex – December 22, 2022
Summary
Over half of participants (51%) in an embodied cognition program reported strong mystical experiences, mirroring effects seen with hallucinogens like Psilocybin. An additional 31% experienced moderate effects. This exploratory research involved 56 individuals undergoing a Body Logic Program, designed to integrate body and mind. Such findings in psychology and psychiatry suggest new avenues for mental health support, potentially offering psychotherapists novel medicine approaches without traditional psychedelics. This could be significant for mental health and psychiatry, especially in body image and dysmorphia studies, as an alternative to drug studies.
Abstract
Expansion of psychoactive hallucinogens in mental health continues to be a major trend. Several psychoactive molecules including psilocybin and MDM...
An Integrative Review of Measures of Spirituality in Experimental Studies of Psilocybin in Serious Illness Populations
American Journal of Hospice and Palliative Medicine® – January 05, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin-assisted therapies for emotional distress frequently prompt mystical experiences and enhanced meaning. Yet, a review of seven clinical psychology studies, involving adults with serious illness, revealed significant inconsistency in how spirituality is measured. Across these studies, 12 different instruments were used, with the Mystical Experience Questionnaire (MEQ30) and Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spirituality (FACIT-Sp-12) each appearing in four. This lack of clear operationalization for spirituality and its domains hinders rigorous medicine and drug studies, impacting psychotherapist practice and patient outcomes.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin-assisted therapies (PAT) are reemerging as a treatment for complex distress often prompting mystical experiences, enhanced m...
Exploring the role of psychedelic-assisted therapy in enhancing spirituality and mystical experiences in patients with life-threatening illnesses: A systematic review.
Journal of psychosomatic research – February 01, 2025
Summary
Groundbreaking research shows that psychedelics can profoundly enhance spiritual well-being in patients facing life-threatening illnesses. Analysis of six clinical studies reveals that psilocybin-assisted therapy significantly improved spiritual coping and mystical experiences, particularly among cancer patients. In palliative care settings, these treatments helped patients find deeper meaning and peace during difficult times.
Abstract
Psychedelic-Assisted Therapy (PAT) is gaining traction as a novel approach to addressing the psychological and existential distress experienced by ...
Exploring Factors Affecting Psychological Flexibility After Psychedelic Experiences.
Journal of psychoactive drugs – April 25, 2025
Summary
Profound mystical experiences during psychedelic sessions with substances like LSD and psilocybin can lead to lasting improvements in psychological flexibility—our ability to adapt to life's challenges. People who reported more intense mystical experiences showed greater gains in mental adaptability, particularly in the month following their experience. These benefits align with principles of acceptance and commitment therapy.
Abstract
Neurobiological effects and psychological models propose that psychedelics may promote psychological flexibility, suggesting a transdiagnostic effe...
Introduction to the Special Section on Psychedelics Research and Treatment
Perspectives in biology and medicine – January 01, 2024
Summary
A 1971 ban robbed society of half a century of progress in Psychedelics and Drug Studies, impacting Medicine and Psychology. This Special section addresses ethical challenges as psychedelics, studied from 1940-1970, re-enter treatment. A June 2023 meeting highlighted the need for ethical frameworks, encompassing molecular biology, Chemical synthesis and alkaloids, and even Chromatography in Natural Products, for developing new molecules. Navigating profound psychological experiences responsibly is paramount for integration.
Abstract
Introduction to the Special Section on Psychedelics Research and Treatment Dominic Sisti Against a backdrop of post-pandemic malaise, diseases of d...
Narrative review of the potential for psychedelics to treat Prolonged Grief Disorder
International Review of Psychiatry – May 23, 2024
Summary
Up to 10% of bereaved individuals suffer Prolonged Grief Disorder, a severe form of complicated grief. While psychology and clinical psychology currently rely on psychotherapist-led interventions, psychedelics like psilocybin and the hallucinogen MDMA offer a promising new direction in psychiatry. Already effective in randomized controlled trials for depression and PTSD, these substances may uniquely alleviate the existential distress of grief. Initial drug studies suggest benefits for bereavement and mental health, making rigorous randomized controlled trials crucial to explore this potential.
Abstract
Prolonged Grief Disorder (PGD) is distinct from yet related to non-pathologic grief, depression, addiction, and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTS...
Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis.
J Cannabis Res – September 22, 2020
Summary
A surprising number of people report using cannabis specifically for spiritual experiences. This research explored that connection, using surveys and interviews to gather firsthand accounts. Findings consistently showed individuals experiencing enhanced introspection, feelings of unity, and deeper connection. This indicates cannabis can indeed serve as a powerful tool for profound spiritual exploration for many.
Abstract
Cannabis as entheogen: survey and interview data on the spiritual use of cannabis.
Fire Kasina advanced meditation produces experiences comparable to psychedelic and near-death experiences: A pilot study.
Explore (New York, N.Y.) – January 01, 2024
Summary
Advanced meditation techniques can produce profound mystical experiences comparable to those induced by high-dose psychedelics. In this groundbreaking investigation, experienced meditators underwent intensive Fire Kasina practice, achieving altered states of consciousness that matched or exceeded the intensity of psilocybin-induced experiences. Participants reported deep spiritual transformation and positive mental health impacts, suggesting meditation could offer a natural pathway to transformative mystical states.
Abstract
Psychedelic-assisted therapy studies suggest that the induction of "mystical experiences" combined with psycho-therapy is a possible intervention f...
Naturalistic Use of Mescaline Is Associated with Self-Reported Psychiatric Improvements and Enduring Positive Life Changes.
ACS pharmacology & translational science – April 09, 2021
Summary
No Summary
Abstract
Mescaline is a naturally occurring psychoactive alkaloid that has been used as a sacrament by Indigenous populations in spiritual ritual and healin...
Accelerated recovery using magnesium ibogaine: characterizing the subjective experience of its rapid healing from neuropsychiatric disorders.
Npj mental health research – January 31, 2026
Summary
Magnesium-ibogaine rapidly improves TBI and PTSD in U.S. Special Operations veterans. Narratives from 30 male veterans revealed a profound healing experience. Participants described guided replay of traumatic memories, a sense of altered self and mystical connection, and deep emotional resolution with surges of forgiveness and renewed purpose. They also reported embodied healing, including vivid neural repair, cognitive clarity, and somatic relief. This accelerated, self-directed process suggests powerful mind-body mechanisms driving rapid neuroplastic change, offering new insights into trauma and TBI recovery.
Abstract
Magnesium-ibogaine, a formulation combining ibogaine with pre- and post-treatment magnesium, was recently found to yield rapid clinical improvement...
Psilocybin occasioned mystical-type experiences: immediate and persisting dose-related effects.
Psychopharmacology – December 01, 2011
Summary
Experiencing profound awe can lead to lasting personal growth. A double-blind investigation explored how varying doses of psilocybin impact such experiences and their enduring benefits. Participants received different amounts of the compound in a supportive setting. Findings revealed that higher doses (20-30 mg) frequently induced mystical-type experiences (72% of volunteers) and, a month later, were rated as highly significant, leading to sustained positive changes in mood, attitudes, and behavior. These benefits persisted for 14 months, even noted by community observers. Lower doses also showed significant effects. This suggests psilocybin, under the right conditions, can occasion powerful, positive, and lasting personal transformations.
Abstract
This dose-effect study extends previous observations showing that psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences having persisting positive effe...
Seeing with the eyes shut: Neural basis of enhanced imagery following ayahuasca ingestion
Human Brain Mapping – September 16, 2011
Summary
Ayahuasca significantly enhances vivid mental imagery, activating brain regions involved in vision and memory. In a study with 30 participants, functional magnetic resonance imaging revealed that Ayahuasca use resulted in activation levels in the primary visual area comparable to seeing real images with eyes open. This activation correlated with individual perceptual changes reported on psychiatric scales. Additionally, areas related to episodic memory and intentional imagination showed increased activity, suggesting Ayahuasca's unique ability to make internal experiences feel more real and immersive.
Abstract
Abstract The hallucinogenic brew Ayahuasca, a rich source of serotonergic agonists and reuptake inhibitors, has been used for ages by Amazonian pop...
Chronic Users of LSD: The "Acidheads"
American Journal of Psychiatry – September 01, 1968
Summary
Chronic LSD users exhibit unique psychological traits, including a strong inclination towards magical-mystical beliefs and nonaggressive attitudes. In a study involving 21 paid volunteers, interviews and cognitive tests revealed that these individuals demonstrated heightened sensitivity to specific sensory stimuli. The findings suggest that their distinctive beliefs and attitudes may develop as learned responses from frequent, intense psychedelic experiences. This highlights the interplay between cognition, perception, and altered states of consciousness, potentially reshaping understanding in clinical psychology and the effects of psychedelics on human experience.
Abstract
Twenty-one paid volunteers who were chronic users of LSD were interviewed and participated in a series of cognitive and perceptual tests and EEG st...
Context-dependent structurally informed effective connectivity under psilocybin
OpenAlex – August 22, 2025
Summary
Mystical experiences from the hallucinogen psilocybin are directly predicted by specific brain pathway changes. Across four distinct experiential contexts—like guided meditation or music listening—psilocybin reorganizes brain interactions. Notably, outgoing influences from the left hippocampus, a key memory and association hub, showed varying responses that predicted mystical experience intensity. Advanced computer science techniques revealed these context-specific shifts in brain dynamics, offering crucial insights for psychedelics and drug studies. Understanding these mechanisms is vital for mental health research topics and could inform future digital mental health interventions.
Abstract
Abstract The extent to which anatomical connectivity constrains pharmacologically altered brain dynamics remains poorly understood. Here, we combin...
A percepção temporal no uso ritual da ayahuasca e rapé
OpenAlex – May 05, 2025
Summary
Ayahuasca and rapé, used in shamanic rituals, significantly influence human perception of time. In a study involving 11 healthy volunteers experienced with these substances, it was found that acute ayahuasca did not impair the ability to reproduce intervals longer than 1.6 seconds. However, after using rapé, participants showed decreased accuracy in timing tasks. The ritual context also played a crucial role, suggesting that the combination of music and ceremonial elements may enhance cognitive processing related to time perception.
Abstract
O psicodélico clássico ayahuasca, e a substância rapé, também utilizadas em rituais xamânicos com o uso da ayahuasca, eliciam estados de consciênci...
PSYCHEDELIC DRUGS, MAGICAL THINKING AND PSYCHOSIS
Journal of Neurology Neurosurgery & Psychiatry – August 06, 2013
Summary
A single high-dose of Psilocybin can induce profound, personality-changing spiritual experiences. This highlights a paradox in Psychology: how can such Psychedelics, explored in Drug Studies and linked to Mysticism, be both therapeutically useful in Psychoanalysis and resemble psychosis? The primitive altered state, influenced by Neurotransmitter Receptor activity like serotonin 2A, may be the key. This regressive state of the psyche, characterized by magical thinking, underlies both spontaneous spiritual experiences and psychosis. Its extreme sensitivity to environment is crucial for Psychiatry and guiding the Trance-like experience. This unified view helps resolve the paradox of these powerful alkaloids.
Abstract
After completing an undergraduate degree in Psychology in 2003, Robin studied psychoanalysis at Masters level, receiving his MA in 2004. In 2005, R...
Mystical but Not Challenging Experiences Predict Symptom Improvement After Psilocybin for Treatment-Resistant OCD
OpenAlex – February 11, 2026
Summary
Greater mystical experiences during psilocybin treatment significantly reduce obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) symptoms. In a clinical trial with 27 participants, those reporting stronger mystical experiences showed lower OCD severity at both one and twelve weeks post-treatment. Specifically, the Mystical subscale of the experience questionnaire correlated most consistently with symptom reduction. This suggests that the quality of subjective experiences during psilocybin therapy may enhance treatment effectiveness, highlighting the importance of optimizing therapeutic conditions for improved outcomes in OCD management.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin treatment has shown promise across a range of psychiatric conditions. Mystical-type experiences during dosing sessions have ...
Mystical experiences occasioned by the hallucinogen psilocybin lead to increases in the personality domain of openness
Journal of Psychopharmacology – September 28, 2011
Summary
Psilocybin, a classic hallucinogen, can fundamentally alter adult personality, challenging established psychology views on stability after age 30. A high-dose psilocybin session, involving this compound from chemical synthesis and alkaloids, led to significant increases in Openness to experience, a key Big Five personality trait. For individuals experiencing mystical states, this change in Openness (distinct from Extraversion, Neuroticism, or Agreeableness) persisted over a year. This suggests a specific role for psychedelics like psilocybin in clinical psychology and drug studies, influencing personality via neurotransmitter receptor influence on behavior.
Abstract
A large body of evidence, including longitudinal analyses of personality change, suggests that core personality traits are predominantly stable aft...
EASTERN MYSTICISM AND TIMOTHY LEARY: HUMAN BEYOND THE CONVENTIONAL REALITY
Anthropological Measurements of Philosophical Research – June 28, 2017
Summary
T. Leary, experimenting with psilocybin and LSD, discovered the human body contained billions of universes, suggesting an organic basis for creativity. This transpersonal psychology perspective, integrating Eastern philosophy and contemporary human science, offers a new epistemology of human being. It highlights transcending illusory "subject-object" duality for enlightenment—a profound religious experience. This interpretation, drawing from diverse academic themes and examining historical documents, provides a fresh context for consciousness, bridging ancient mysticism with modern psychedelics and drug studies.
Abstract
Introduction. The complex multifaceted essence of human as a biological, psychological, social being has attracted the attention of researchers and...
Safety, Tolerability, Pharmacokinetics, and Pharmacodynamics of Subcutaneous RE104: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Single Ascending Dose Placebo-Controlled Study.
Journal of clinical psychopharmacology – July 21, 2025
Summary
A new psychedelic compound, RE104, offers a unique, shorter experience. Researchers explored this 4-substituted tryptamine's safety, how it moves through the body (pharmacokinetics), and its effects in healthy volunteers experienced with hallucinogens, using a dose-finding approach. RE104 proved safe and well-tolerated, with predictable absorption. Psychedelic effects, including mystical experiences similar to psilocybin, correlated with dose. Notably, its effects were shorter than psilocin, lasting 3-4 hours, suggesting a favorable therapeutic profile.
Abstract
This study is the first to formally evaluate in humans the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics (PK), and pharmacodynamics of RE104, a prodrug of...
Inhaled 5-methoxy-N,N-dimethyltryptamine: Supportive context associated with positive acute and enduring effects
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – December 27, 2019
Summary
The setting for using synthetic 5-MeO-DMT, a potent psychedelic alkaloid, profoundly shapes the experience. Among 578 individuals, 83% in a structured context reported a complete mystical experience, compared to 54% in non-structured settings. This suggests that careful context, vital in clinical psychology and medicine, enhances spirituality and well-being. Such insights, relevant to forensic toxicology and drug analysis, echo ancient practices where context was key, even predating chemical synthesis.
Abstract
Background and aims 5-Methoxy- N,N -dimethyltryptamine (5-MeO-DMT) is a potent, short-acting psychedelic that produces strong hallucinogenic effect...
Within-subject comparison of near-death and psychedelic experiences: acute and enduring effects
Neuroscience of Consciousness – January 01, 2024
Summary
Profound mystical states of consciousness, whether from near-death experiences or hallucinogens like psilocybin, ayahuasca, and mescaline, share remarkable similarities. A study of 31 adults who experienced both revealed significant overlap in their phenomenology and attribution of reality. While sensory perception differed—NDEs involved more disembodiment, psychedelics more visual imagery—both induced similar mystical-like effects. This suggests the psychology of psychedelic experiences offers a valuable lens for understanding profound, sometimes paranormal, insights.
Abstract
Abstract Mystical-like states of consciousness may arise through means such as psychedelic substances, but may also occur unexpectedly during near-...
A Brief Historical Overview of Psychedelic Research.
Biological psychiatry. Cognitive neuroscience and neuroimaging – May 01, 2024
Summary
In the 1950s, researchers discovered that psychedelics like LSD and psilocybin could profoundly impact mental health treatment. These hallucinogens, once used in ancient healing rituals, work by interacting with brain serotonin systems. Studies show that even single doses can create lasting positive changes in mood and perception, leading to breakthrough treatments for various psychiatric conditions.
Abstract
Classical serotonergic psychedelics such as lysergic acid diethylamide or the naturally occurring compounds psilocybin and mescaline produce profou...
Meditating on psychedelics. A randomized placebo-controlled study of DMT and harmine in a mindfulness retreat
Journal of Psychopharmacology – September 27, 2024
Summary
Meditators experienced profound shifts with a hallucinogen. Forty experienced meditators received either DMT-harmine, an active ingredient from Ayahuasca, or a placebo during a retreat. Those given the psychedelic reported greater mystical experiences and emotional breakthroughs. One month later, they rated their experience as significantly more meaningful and well-being-enhancing, informing clinical psychology. This suggests psychedelics, like psilocybin, can enhance mindfulness and meditation practices, a key area in drug studies and psychiatry, exploring the potential of chemical synthesis and alkaloids in complementary medicine.
Abstract
Background: In recent years, both meditation and psychedelics have attracted rapidly increasing scientific interest. While the current state of evi...
Four individuals' experiences during and following a psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands
Journal of Psychedelic Studies – April 16, 2021
Summary
A compelling finding reveals that a high dose of the hallucinogen psilocybin can lead to positive after-effects lasting up to a year. Qualitative research, using deep interpretative analysis of narratives from four healthy individuals at a legal retreat, revealed profound shifts. A central theme was enhanced social connectedness, impacting perception of self and others. This experiential learning offers insights for psychology and developmental psychology, contributing to psychedelics and drug studies. The findings illuminate aspects of social psychology and potential psychotherapeutic relevance, touching upon diverse academic research themes through a social analysis of personal transformation.
Abstract
Abstract This article reports on the experiences of four healthy individuals who attended a legal psilocybin truffle retreat in the Netherlands. Th...
New trends in the cyber and street market of recreational drugs? The case of 2C-T-7 ('Blue Mystic').
Journal of psychopharmacology (Oxford, England) – November 01, 2005
Summary
A curious trend reveals online discussions about the designer drug 2C-T-7 significantly outpace its availability on physical street markets. Researchers investigated this disparity by analyzing online forums and market data. They discovered a wealth of online information, including detailed synthesis instructions and sales offers, starkly contrasting with minimal street-level seizures across Europe. A key finding is the immense value of comprehensively mapping online drug trends to support clinicians, underscoring the importance of designing more appealing prevention websites.
Abstract
2C-T-7 ('Blue Mystic'), an illicit compound which shows similarities with MDMA and other designer drugs, has been only occasionally identified in t...
Psilocybin-occasioned mystical-type experience in combination with meditation and other spiritual practices produces enduring positive changes in psychological functioning and in trait measures of prosocial attitudes and behaviors
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 11, 2017
Summary
High-dose psilocybin, a potent hallucinogen, can foster lasting positive changes in human psychology. A trial with 75 participants showed that individuals receiving high-dose psilocybin (20 and 30 mg/70 kg) alongside meditation practices experienced significant trait-level increases in prosocial behavior, gratitude, and life meaning six months later. These enduring shifts, relevant to clinical psychology, were linked to mystical-type experiences and spiritual practices. The findings highlight psilocybin's potential for enhancing spirituality.
Abstract
Psilocybin can occasion mystical-type experiences with participant-attributed increases in well-being. However, little research has examined enduri...
Understanding psychedelic 'mystical experience'—A case example
OpenAlex – March 10, 2023
Summary
Psilocybin therapy can dramatically heal deep-seated family trauma. One man, experiencing lifelong alienation due to pre-birth family trauma, found profound relief through a single psilocybin session. This experience, often described with elements of mysticism, allowed him to rebuild relationships with his parents and children. Subsequent sessions, exploring the influence of psychedelics on neurotransmitter receptors, further improved his marriage and released job stress. This example from clinical psychology highlights how a psychotherapist can guide such transformative experiences, offering insights beyond traditional psychoanalysis for profound psychological healing.
Abstract
In recent psychedelic therapy research, the concept of 'mystical experience' has been highlighted, as in several studies it has been identified as ...
Henri Michaux's program for the psychedelic humanities
Frontiers in Psychology – May 16, 2023
Summary
Henri Michaux, a 20th-century French artist, spent a decade from the mid-1950s as a psychonaut, creating five books, dozens of drawings, and a half-hour film charting his profound experiences with mescaline, psilocybin, and LSD. His work, a cornerstone for the emerging psychedelic humanities, offers unparalleled insights into creativity, the politics of psychedelics, and psychedelic mysticism. Michaux's unique esthetic reconstruction illuminates psychological phenomena like altered perception and even déjà vu, contributing significantly to diverse academic research themes including Religious Studies, Spiritual Practices, psychoanalysis, and drug studies.
Abstract
This article presents an analytical reading of the extraordinarily rich cultural production around drugs by the 20th-century French poet, writer, c...
Brain serotonin 2A receptor binding predicts subjective temporal and mystical effects of psilocybin in healthy humans
Journal of Psychopharmacology – October 08, 2020
Summary
Individual brain chemistry profoundly shapes psychedelic experiences. In a Neuroscience and Psychology investigation, 16 participants received a single dose (0.2–0.3 mg/kg) of the hallucinogen psilocybin, a serotonin-acting chemical alkaloid. Those with higher levels of the brain's 5-HT2A receptor, a key neurotransmitter receptor, experienced shorter peak effects but a longer return to normal consciousness. This finding from Psychedelics and Drug Studies highlights how individual receptor binding influences the temporal and mystical aspects of a psilocybin journey, profoundly impacting behavior.
Abstract
Background: Psilocybin is a serotonergic psychedelic with psychoactive effects mediated by serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) activation. It produces ...
Phenomenology and Content of the Inhaled N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) Experience
Research Square – April 28, 2022
Summary
Many individuals describe encountering "entities" during experiences with inhaled N, N-DMT. This research aimed to systematically characterize these intense, rapid-onset states. Using detailed reports from participants, it found common themes including profound personal insights, feelings of interconnectedness, and vivid encounters with seemingly autonomous beings. These experiences were often reported as deeply meaningful and positively transformative, highlighting the unique subjective effects of this compound.
Abstract
Phenomenology and Content of the Inhaled N, N-Dimethyltryptamine (N, N-DMT) Experience
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings: Phenomenology, Altered States, Individual Differences, and Wellbeing
OpenAlex – May 31, 2021
Summary
Profound spontaneous spiritual awakenings, reported by 152 individuals, are overwhelmingly positive, even when initially challenging. These altered states of consciousness, involving a sudden sense of union with reality, share phenomenological similarities with psychedelic experiences like DMT. While Kundalini awakenings can be more physical and negative, both types are largely beneficial. Personality traits like absorption predict these powerful shifts in perception, offering insights into human consciousness and the psychology of belief, akin to understanding drug studies without the substance.
Abstract
Spontaneous Spiritual Awakenings (SSAs) are subjective experiences characterised by a sud- den sense of direct contact, union or merging with a per...
Development of the Psychological Insight Questionnaire among a sample of people who have consumed psilocybin or LSD
Journal of Psychopharmacology – January 09, 2021
Summary
A new psychometric tool, the Psychological Insight Questionnaire, was developed to assess acute psychological insights during experiences with psilocybin and other psychedelics. Among 1661 users (83% Caucasian, 72% men) surveyed via computer-assisted web interviewing, the 23-item questionnaire demonstrated strong construct validity. Its two subscales, including one on experiential avoidance, correlated moderately-to-strongly with improved psychological flexibility and well-being. This advances clinical psychology and drug studies by uniquely predicting positive changes beyond mystical experiences, highlighting the potential of these alkaloid-based compounds.
Abstract
Background: Several measures have been developed to examine acute psychedelic effects (e.g. mystical-type and challenging experiences), but no meas...
Preferences and Attitudes Toward Music in Nonclinical Uses of Psychedelics.
Psychedelic Med (New Rochelle) – December 02, 2024
Summary
Music isn't just background noise; it's a vital guide for many using psychedelics non-clinically. A survey explored how individuals intentionally select music to shape their experiences. Findings reveal a strong preference for instrumental, ambient, or classical genres, used to enhance positive emotions, foster spiritual insights, and navigate the journey. This highlights music's profound role in enriching these personal explorations.
Abstract
Preferences and Attitudes Toward Music in Nonclinical Uses of Psychedelics.
Newer substances and their effects: A case report
European Psychiatry – March 01, 2016
Summary
A 36-year-old South American immigrant experienced auditory hallucinations after daily use of Ayahuasca, a traditional spiritual medicine among Indigenous peoples. Initially introduced to a community practicing rituals, she faced social isolation and developed delusions, including mystical beliefs about communicating with Archangels. Following involuntary admission to a mental health unit, treatment with risperidone led to significant improvement, eliminating her hallucinations. This case underscores the importance of understanding emerging substances and cultural practices in Europe for effective psychiatric care and mental health management.
Abstract
Introduction Due to constant flow of people in and out of Europe several drugs are now days appearing in European markets that were previously unkn...
Psychological flexibility mediates the relations between acute psychedelic effects and subjective decreases in depression and anxiety.
Journal of contextual behavioral science – January 01, 2020
Summary
A fascinating insight reveals that the therapeutic benefits often reported after using psychedelics may stem from a specific psychological shift. This research explored whether increased psychological flexibility acts as the crucial mechanism linking acute hallucinogen experiences to improved mental well-being. A survey of nearly 1,000 individuals found that profound mystical and insightful experiences during psychedelic use were strongly associated with subsequent reductions in anxiety and depression. Crucially, statistical analysis confirmed this positive impact was fully explained by an observed increase in psychological flexibility. This suggests that psychedelics foster an adaptive mental state, serving as the key to alleviating symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Abstract
Prior research has shown that acute subjective psychedelic effects are associated with both spontaneous and intended changes in depression and anxi...