A Dose of Creativity: An Integrative Review of the Effects of Serotonergic Psychedelics on Creativity
This review (2022, s=11) finds some positive effects on creativity (e.g. increased convergent thinking) after psychedelics use. Still, the number of studies, small sample size, and lack of randomisation are preventing more robust conclusions from being drawn.
Abstract
This integrative review was conducted to summarize the knowledge pertaining to the effects that serotonergic psychedelics can have on creativity, a multi-dimensional construct referring to the ability to produce original and valuable artifacts. Psychedelics, which have long been hailed as substances that can enhance the creative process in their users, have experienced a recent resurgence in research, allowing the opportunity to better understand this relationship. To this end, I reviewed literature which attempted to study the effects of serotonergic psychedelics on creativity through psychometric methods. A total of eleven studies were reviewed, with four psychedelic compounds represented. Every study assessed components and subcomponents of divergent and convergent thinking, with only one instance of product assessment. Results suggest that convergent thinking may increase during the post-acute phases of the drugs’ intake, fostering the capacity for development of previously generated ideas. However, this evidence may be circumstantial based on the low number of studies available, small sample sizes, overall lack of randomized controlled trials, and significant methodological limitations throughout most studies. Potential mechanisms underlying these effects are discussed, along with the current state of the research and implications for future studies.
Research Summary of 'A Dose of Creativity: An Integrative Review of the Effects of Serotonergic Psychedelics on Creativity'
Introduction
Abi-Dargham and colleagues frame creativity as a multifaceted psychological construct that has been studied across disciplines but remains difficult to define and measure. The introduction summarises classical distinctions relevant to creative cognition, notably the Four P’s (person, process, press, product), stage models of creative problem‑solving (preparation, incubation, illumination, verification), and cognitive components such as divergent and convergent thinking. The authors review cognitive and neuropsychological correlates (working memory, attention, executive functions), personality and mood influences, and neurobiological substrates (prefrontal cortex, default mode network, dopaminergic and serotonergic systems) that plausibly link brain function to creative performance. The review then introduces classic serotonergic psychedelics (e.g. LSD, psilocybin, DMT, mescaline) and summarises their pharmacology—primarily 5‑HT2A agonism with downstream effects on other serotonergic and dopaminergic pathways—and subjective effects (altered perception, ego‑dissolution, mood changes). Against this background, the authors pose the central question of the paper: How do psychedelics influence creativity? They argue an integrative review is timely to synthesise evidence across acute, sub‑acute and long‑term phases, evaluate measurement approaches (process/person/product/press), and identify gaps for future research.
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Costa, M. Â. (2023). A Dose of Creativity: An Integrative Review of the Effects of Serotonergic Psychedelics on Creativity. Journal of Psychoactive Drugs, 55(3), 299-309. https://doi.org/10.1080/02791072.2022.2106805
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