Narratives of the mystical among users of psychedelics

Interviews with 50 psychedelic drug users reveal that their experiences consistently follow archetypical mystical narratives, including the transcendence of time and space, deep euphoria, and a sense of oneness with a larger whole. These narratives have clear roots in traditional mystical thinking but also reflect current cultural and political influences, such as themes of oneness with plants and animals and the need to protect nature. The findings suggest that mystical experiences from psychedelics have archetypical patterns but are shaped by culturally specific storylines.

Study at a glance

Abstract

We are now witnessing a radical revival in clinical research on the use of psychedelics (e.g. LSD and psilocybin), where ‘mystical’ experiences are at the centre. Drawing on in-depth interviews with 50 psychedelic drug users, we document how they draw on archetypical mystical narratives, comprising three key dimensions: (1) the transcendence of time and space; (2) deep euphoria; and (3) the perception of being at one with ‘a larger whole’. We suggest that the evolving new cultures around the use of psychedelics contain a variety of narratives, with clear roots in traditional mystical thinking. At the same time, these narratives reflect current cultural and political influences, including the narratives of oneness with plants and animals and our perceived need to protect nature. We conclude that the way people experience mystical occasions due to psychedelic use have archetypical patterns, but culturally specific storylines.