Investigating the relationship between changes in metaphysical beliefs and death anxiety following a significant psychedelic experience.

After a single significant psychedelic experience, people reported an overall reduction in death anxiety, although some individuals reported an increase. This reduction was linked to a stronger belief in panpsychism—the idea that consciousness is fundamental and pervasive in the universe. No other metaphysical beliefs, such as belief in an afterlife or materialism, were associated with the change. The findings suggest that shifts in metaphysical worldview, particularly toward panpsychism, may play a role in how psychedelic experiences alter attitudes about death, pointing to a specific mechanism for future research.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Research examining the potential of the psychedelic experience to alter attitudes toward death is steadily emerging. However, the specific mechanisms leading to this change are not well understood. The present study investigated the potential relationship between changes in metaphysical beliefs and changes in death anxiety following a single significant psychedelic experience. A total of 155 participants completed a retrospective questionnaire that included questions about their acute experience and changes in death anxiety and metaphysical beliefs following a significant psychedelic experience. Although some participants reported an increase in death anxiety, there was an overall significant reduction in death anxiety from before to after the experience. Improvements in death anxiety were positively correlated with changes in belief in panpsychism, but no other measured metaphysical beliefs. The findings from this exploratory study provide direction for future research looking at the relationship between changes in metaphysical beliefs and death anxiety in the context of psychedelic experiences.