Self-Integration after Recreational Psychedelic Use: Is it a Bulwark against Identity Disturbance?
Journal of Humanistic Psychology September 25, 2025 DOI: 10.1177/00221678251369932 via OpenAlex
Summary
AI-generated from the abstractRecreational psychedelic users report higher well-being and lower identity loss compared to nonusers, according to an online survey of 63 users and 218 nonusers. Among users, well-being and consolidated identity are strongly correlated, and self-integration behaviors (such as spending time in nature or journaling) are positively linked to both. However, integration behaviors do not significantly reduce severe identity disturbance. The authors caution that recreational psychedelic use carries risks, particularly for individuals with mental health issues, and that self-integration may help consolidate positive psychological growth but does not protect against serious identity problems.
Study at a glance
| Characteristics | Cross-sectional survey Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Sample size | 281 |
| Population | Adults who had or had not taken a psychedelic drug in the last year |
| Keywords | Journaling file system Identity music Recreational use Mental health Recreational drug use |
| Key finding | Recreational psychedelic users had significantly higher well-being and lower identity loss than nonusers, but self-integration behaviors did not protect against severe identity disturbance. |
Abstract
As recreational psychedelics increase, it is important to understand possible consequences, like identity disturbance, and how they may be mitigated with harm-reduction techniques. For example, people may spend time in nature or engage in journaling after recreational use to “self-integrate.” The present study aimed to investigate differences in measures of well-being and identity disturbance between recreational psychedelic users and nonusers and explore the role of self-integration to promote positive identity. An online survey was answered by 63 people who had taken a psychedelic drug in the last year and 218 who had not. The psychedelic user group was significantly higher in well-being ( t (279) = 2.21, p = .028) and lower in identity loss ( t (279) = −2.13, p = .034). Within the psychedelic user group, correlations revealed positive relationships between well-being and consolidated identity ( r = .70), and integration behaviors with both ( r = .37; r = .26, respectively). Surprisingly, integration behaviors had no significant relationship with a lack of identity. These findings indicate that while self-integration may help consolidate psychological growth for people who have had positive psychedelic experiences, it is not protective against severe identity disturbance. Accordingly, recreational psychedelic use is considered risky and is cautioned against, especially for those facing mental health issues.