Entheogenic Spirituality: Characteristics of Spiritually Motivated Psychedelics Use

A survey of 319 predominantly Western individuals who use psychedelic or entheogenic drugs for spiritual purposes found that their motivations and experiences extend beyond mystical states. Most respondents cited personal growth and spirituality as reasons for use, with about half maintaining a meditation practice. Their experiences were most often characterized by joy, peace, love, self-insight, and improved connections with nature and others. Those with a spiritual affiliation were more likely to report mystical experiences involving ego dissolution or unity and reported more positive long-term effects. The findings confirm a growing movement of spiritually motivated entheogen users that warrants further study.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Investigations of the use of psychedelic or entheogenic drugs in spiritual contexts have focused on mystical experience. Arguing that entheogenic spirituality should be understood more broadly, this study recruited 319 individuals into an online survey. Respondents were predominantly from western countries, but reported a connection to an eclectic range of religious and spiritual traditions, with Buddhism as the largest religion. About half of the respondents reported having a meditation practice, and the most endorsed motivations for entheogen use related to personal growth and spirituality. For spiritually motivated respondents, entheogenic experiences were most commonly characterized by feelings of joy, peace, and love, by insight into oneself and one’s relations, and by improved connections with nature and with other people. Spiritually affiliated participants were more likely to report mystical experiences involving ego dissolution and contact or unity experiences and reported more positive long-term consequences from entheogen use. The study affirms the existence of a movement of spiritually motivated entheogen users that requires further investigation.