Psychedelic Experiences Increase Mind Perception but do not Change Atheist-Believer Status: A Prospective Longitudinal Study
Garcia-Romeu, A., Griffiths, R. R., Jackson, H., Nayak, S., Yaden, D. B.
This prospective longitudinal survey (n=657) finds that people who use psychedelics recreationally increase in prescribing 'mind perception' to living and non-living targets (e.g. plants and animals). However, unlike previous studies, they didn't find changes in metaphysical beliefs along the Atheist-Believer scale.
Abstract
Recent studies suggest psychedelic use may be associated with changes in a variety of beliefs or belief-like states, including increased 1) mind perception, 2) non-naturalistic beliefs, and 3) Atheist-Believer status (e.g., believer, agnostic, or non-believer). We conducted a prospective longitudinal study among participants (N = 657) who planned to have a psychedelic experience. We asked participants about their beliefs concerning mind perception of various entities, specific metaphysical positions, and Atheist-Believer status both before and after their experience. Replicating previous findings, we observed increases in mind perception across a variety of living and non-living targets (e.g., plants, animals). However, we found little to no change in metaphysical beliefs (e.g., dualism) or Atheist-Believer status. Taken together, these findings contrast with those from cross-sectional studies that psychedelic experiences result in changes to Atheist-Believer status and non-naturalistic beliefs but support the relevance of mind perception and mentalization.