A minority of cannabis users (25%) report a spiritual motivation for their use, distinct from recreational use. These spiritual users approach cannabis differently and report experiences of insight, connectedness, joy, love, and unity with transcendent forces—experiences that in some ways resemble those from psychedelics like LSD or psilocybin. The study, combining interviews and a survey of 319 participants (median age 33, 81% male) from online communities, found that spiritual motivation was a significant predictor of such experiences, even after controlling for demographics and other drug use. Cannabis was used much more frequently (median 51-100 times per year) than psychedelics (1-10 times per year). The findings suggest spiritually motivated cannabis use remains prevalent and warrants further research.
Among attendees of festivals and concerts in Colorado, simultaneous use of cannabis and psychedelics is common, with many users reporting enhanced positive experiences such as deeper introspection and sensory amplification. However, a notable minority experience adverse reactions including anxiety, paranoia, and confusion. Qualitative interviews reveal that users often intentionally combine substances to modulate the psychedelic experience, but the lack of predictable outcomes and setting-related factors contribute to negative effects. The findings suggest that simultaneous use carries both potential benefits and risks that are influenced by dose, individual tolerance, and environmental context.