Do Psychedelics Change Beliefs?

Renewed interest in psychedelics has sparked debate about whether and how they alter human beliefs. In clinical and social-cognitive contexts, psychedelic use may lead to profound and sometimes lasting belief changes. Rather than creating entirely new beliefs, psychedelics may instead shift how affect and others' suggestions influence the way beliefs are formed. Baseline beliefs, such as expectations about psychedelics' effects, might color both acute experiences and longer-term changes. To harness psychedelics' potential for clinical use and human flourishing, these possibilities require empirical investigation.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Renewed interest in psychedelics has reignited the debate about whether and how they change human beliefs. In both the clinical and social-cognitive domains, psychedelic consumption may be accompanied by profound, and sometimes lasting, belief changes. We review these changes and their possible underlying mechanisms. Rather than inducing de novo beliefs, we argue psychedelics may instead change the impact of affect and of others’ suggestions on how beliefs are imputed. Critically, we find that baseline beliefs (in the possible effects of psychedelics, for example) might color the acute effects of psychedelics as well as longer term changes. If we are to harness the apparent potential of psychedelics in the clinic and for human flourishing more generally, these possibilities must be addressed empirically.