The Associations of Naturalistic Classic Psychedelic Use, Mystical Experience, and Creative Problem Solving

People who have used classic psychedelics and also had a mystical experience solved a creative problem-solving task faster than those who had not, with a large effect. However, the amount of lifetime mystical experience did not predict task performance, indicating that mystical experience does not explain the link between psychedelic use and creativity. The findings suggest that classic psychedelics may enhance creativity through mechanisms separate from those that produce mystical experiences, and that inducing mystical experiences may not be necessary for creativity-boosting interventions.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Developing methods for improving creativity is of broad interest. Classic psychedelics may enhance creativity; however, the underlying mechanisms of action are unknown. This study was designed to assess whether a relationship exists between naturalistic classic psychedelic use and heightened creative problem-solving ability and if so, whether this is mediated by lifetime mystical experience. Participants (N = 68) completed a survey battery assessing lifetime mystical experience and circumstances surrounding the most memorable experience. They were then administered a functional fixedness task in which faster completion times indicate greater creative problem-solving ability. Participants reporting classic psychedelic use concurrent with mystical experience (n = 11) exhibited significantly faster times on the functional fixedness task (Cohen's d = -.87; large effect) and significantly greater lifetime mystical experience (Cohen's d = .93; large effect) than participants not reporting classic psychedelic use concurrent with mystical experience. However, lifetime mystical experience was unrelated to completion times on the functional fixedness task (standardized β = -.06), and was therefore not a significant mediator. Classic psychedelic use may increase creativity independent of its effects on mystical experience. Maximizing the likelihood of mystical experience may need not be a goal of psychedelic interventions designed to boost creativity.